Softball warns against zonal teams
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 5, 2026 10:00
The association stated that zonal teams and national team selections are strictly the responsibility of BSA through the technical development officer. Speaking to MmegiSport, BSA secretary-general, Same Molete, said even if NEST26 organisers had initially mentioned that they will select zonal teams after the tournament, the association had not been informed about the development.
She explained that the procedure was that the organisers should have officially informed the BSA executive committee about the plan.
Molete said they saw the teams on social media, and even team managers were also surprised by the announcement. “We learnt about the zonal team in the NEST26 technical manual this week, a manual which was not shared with us as BSA. It is somewhere written that there will be a selection of zonal teams as a way of appreciating the players who took part in the tournament.
“As BSA, we were not told what happens to those players after being selected, the manual does not even state if there will be any games after selection,” she said. Molete noted that the selection of zonal teams is similar to zonal national teams, emphasising that it is only the responsibility of the BSA.
She revealed that when a team is selected, there should be special dispensation for the players, such as transport, accommodation and feeding. She said after the NEST26 tournament, the organisers never came to request a date to host games. “Right now, we have released an activity plan, from April 2026 until April 2027, and such games are not included in the plan. Teams are preparing for the Phikwe Softball Extravaganza and Makgadikgadi tournament,” Molete said. “We are done with the NEST. If the NEST organisers wanted to do something, they should have informed us.” For his part NEST director, Petrus Sebina, explained the North and South select teams do not, in any form or manner, represent BSA zonal teams, nor did they intend to do so.
He said the teams were selected exclusively from players who participated in the NEST26 final 16 tournament, with selections made based on performance observed throughout the competition.
“The establishment of the NEST26 select team is consistent with Section 9 of the NEST26 tournament documentation, which formed an integral part of the tournament framework and was communicated prior to the commencement of the event.
“The concept was discussed and endorsed by the tournament’s technical team, team managers and coaches as part of the overall player recognition and development initiatives attached to the tournament,” Sebina said. According to him, the announcement of the NEST26 select teams was simply a fulfilment of a commitment that had already been communicated through the tournament documentation, NEST26 launch, tournament promotional material and the closing ceremony.
Sebina also apologised to players, clubs, supporters and stakeholders for any confusion, misunderstanding or anxiety that may have arisen following the announcement.