BSA aborts softball league
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 25, 2020 15:05
The sponsor has agreed that the balance of P659,502.74 be shared amongst teams that participated in the aborted league.
Around P200,000 has been spent on assisting teams with equipment to ensure COVID-19 compliance.
BSA secretary general, Tsuna Makwa said they have engaged with the league sponsor on the matter.
She said it was decided the current season should be abandoned to allow BSA and clubs to prepare for the 2020-2021 season.
“The preparation for the next season includes, but is not limited to, clubs compliance to the COVID-19 protocols and to upgrade the National Diamond [softball grounds] to acceptable standard,” Makwa wrote to clubs.
The letter further states that BoFiNeT would assist BSA and clubs with COVID-19 protocols compliance.
“We have left it to clubs to decide on how the funds should be fairly distributed. The matter is still under discussion,” Makwa told Mmegi Sport.
BSA spokesperson, Thato Matenge said there will not be any official softball action until December.
“Clubs are only allowed to train but that only happens after their facilities have been inspected,” he said.
Matenge said they have identified two grounds in the south, Jwaneng and the National Diamond. He explained that Debswana Diamond Mine has already financed the upgrading of the Jwaneng ground.
However, Matenge said they were still waiting for a grant from the Botswana National Sport Commission to attend to the National Diamond.
“In the north, we have identified Makhubu Ball Park in Selebi-Phikwe and Carats ground in Orapa. The Carats ground has been upgraded, thanks to the mine and Makhubu is expected to be completed soon,” he said.
One of the managers, Laztbon Segaise said the idea to call off the season was a decision taken by managers not the executive committee. “I support the idea of starting the league next year because most of our players are students. After the lockdown, they have been focusing on school work,” he said. Segaise said it was going to be difficult for clubs because they do not have funds. He said the committee was undecided and kept coming up with different dates to resume the league.
“We want a fresh start next year. January is usually a good time and players are not committed,” Segaise said.