BSA fails to secure sponsorship for women's league

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Tuesday January 12, 2010 00:00

 

BSA only managed to secure sponsorship for the men's league but nothing has been forthcoming for the women's game.

BSA spokesperson, Kabelo Kwape said although they have thus far failed to secure a sponsor, they have not given up. 'We have not reached any conclusions with potential sponsors,' Kwape said.

He said it is difficult to negotiate with potential sponsors as the league is about to end and the sponsor might not get the desired mileage. He concedes that it might be in vain to get a sponsor for the current campaign adding that focus should be on next season.

 Most companies, Kwape said, cited the global economic downturn as the reason for not committing themselves to softball.  'Most companies that we talked to had their own interest and we had to appreciate that,' Kwape said.

He said despite the absence of sponsorship, the women's league has been competitive. Recently, Bears won the Tshepo Ntshole memorial tournament in South Africa, which Kwape said reflected the league's competitiveness.

He refuted insinuations that the association is not putting enough effort in seeking sponsorship for the women's league as they do for men. 'We know it is equally important for the women's league to have a sponsor as that will lift their game,' Kwape said. He said some women teams are not active because of financial reasons and believed that if the league had a sponsor, such teams would come to life. As has become the norm, Kwape said something positive would soon emerge from their negotiations with potential sponsors.