Extravaganza organisers optimistic after BCL loss

Koketso Kgoboge | Thursday March 9, 2017 15:03

 

BDF IX men were crowned last year's champions when all sponsors were on board

The extravaganza is one of the biggest tournaments in local softball as the tournament has grown over the years, with the 2016 edition attracting P600,000 in sponsorship. The lucrative tournament is traditionally played over the Presidents’ Day holidays in Selebi-Phikwe. BCL were the parent sponsors, but the mine shut down last October.  Komatsu and Bridgestone were the other main sponsors.

Botsogo Health Care is the only other sponsor that still has a running contract that elapses this year after signing a three-year deal in 2015.

The closure of BCL Mine left uncertainties of sponsorship and the LOC feared the stature of the tournament was too huge, which would hamper sponsorship search. 

However, Oeme Morupisi, a member of the LOC said after a meeting recently with the elders of the former mining town and sections of the business community, they are hopeful things will fall back in place.

“(The) Extravaganza is a huge tournament and we are happy the elders of the Selebi-Phikwe community also see it as such,” he said. “They have pledged to assist carry it forward and that gives us hope.”

“We have also been in some engagements with the business community and although we don’t have anything concrete to disclose yet, it is promising. We will also be meeting our main sponsors and we remain optimistic they will continue to sponsor us.”

He said the tournament has, over the years, brought a lot of activities in the town and the surrounding areas, in terms of business and sport tourism and has also contributed to sport development.

“This is the tournament to look for in the local softball calendar after the league and it is the most exciting to our players and teams.

It also keeps the town lively and has benefited a lot of small business people. There is no way we cannot have the extravaganza. 

It has not been easy trying to piece everything together this year, but we are working around the clock to ensure this edition takes place,” he said.