Softball Women Qualify For Tokyo 2020 Second Stage
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday May 13, 2019 11:50
The second stage of the qualifiers would be held in Utrecht, Netherlands in July 23-27. Botswana booked a place by beating South Africa 8-1 to walk away with gold medals. The two sides have confirmed their places and would be representing Africa, finishing ahead of Uganda and Nigeria. Botswana and South Africa would move on to compete with Europe”s top six softball team in the World
Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) softball Europe-Africa qualifier for Tokyo 2020, with either of them aiming to become the first African softball team to reach the Olympic Games.
The head of delegation, Molekane Bokhutlo told Sport Monitor yesterday that the team did exceptionally well and there was great performance by pitchers. He added that batting was also top notch.
Botswana Softball Association (BSA) public relations officer, Kelebogile Seitei said qualifying for the second stage of Tokyo 2020 is worth celebrating.
“It is worth celebrating especially after our performance in Chiba, Japan last year. We have regrouped and went back to the drawing board,” she said.
Seitei said Botswana lost their first match against South Africa by just one run and it was a closely contested affair. She said it was possibly due to the fact that they played three matches on the day.
Seitei also said in the final, Botswana had an upper hand with pitching and offence on point. When asked how the qualification is going to affect their resources, she said it is going to be a challenge because the girls Under 19 team has also qualified for the World championship in United States of America later this year.
“It is going to be a very tight squeeze but with proper planning we should pull through. We are still reaching out to the private sector to assist financially, so as to augment the disbursement from Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC).
The team won individual prizes with Nametsagang Tunah Mathame winning batter of the tournament best pitcher went to Onneetse Seth and third pitcher Boitshepo Kgojane”.
Meanwhile, softball Region 5 held elections in South Africa over the weekend. BSA president, Thabo Thamane is the chairperson and Gloria Gaosikelwe is the secretary general.
Deputy chairperson is Trevor Mogale, Tlali Rampooana is treasurer and two additional members are Stonard Mapfumo and Bothobile Shebe.