Scramblers disqualified from extravaganza

Koketso Kgoboge | Friday July 15, 2016 11:04

Scramblers marginally beat Rail Giants 1-0 in the qualifiers. Rail Giants later protested against Scramblers’ use of Oteng Modise, who was not officially cleared after joining the Francistown side from Phikwe Carets.

Botswana Softball Association (BSA) spokesperson, Kelebogile Seitei confirmed that the disciplinary committee has ruled against Scramblers.

“The disciplinary committee sat on Sunday and they ruled that indeed Scramblers used a defaulter in their (extravaganza) qualifying game against Rail Giants in Maun.

As a result, the disciplinary committee ruled that Rail Giants who finished second in the group automatically replaces Scramblers,” she said.

According to Seitei, the player in question resigned from his former team and had an agreement with Scramblers but failed to complete the final processes of clearance such as paying the transfer fee and having his registration book signed.

Meanwhile, Rail Giants spokesperson Romeo Tshelametsi said their preparations have been going on.

“We knew we had a strong case against Scramblers. We had not stopped our training as the team converged in Gaborone on Monday. Our key players who missed the qualifiers are back and we are ready,” he said. Efforts to reach Scramblers for comment were futile, as the team manager’s phone rang unanswered.

Meanwhile, the men’s teams will be divided into two pools; A and B, while the women’s groups will have Pool X and Y. In Pool A, defending champions BDF IX are pitted against the hosts Comets, Rail Giants and Dinare. BoFiNet champions Wells are in pool B with compatriots Gatalamotho, Carats and Rebels. 

Women’s defending champions Dinare will face off with Comets, Panthers and Scramblers in Pool X, while new entrants Titans will battle out Police IX, Rail Giants and Motlakase in Pool Y.