Softball umpire quits

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Wednesday May 12, 2010 00:00

 

Majase took over the post from Abel Mataboge last year, but other umpires reportedly protested his appointment.

Majase, however, said he heard reports that there was bad blood between him and other umpires. He said the allegations were untrue as he had a cordial relationship with his counterparts.

It is alleged that the other umpires argued that Majase was not the right man for the job and reportedly sabotaged him.At one stage, it is said Mataboge boycotted officiating in protest at Majase's appointment.

But Majase said he never had problems with other umpires.

He cited work and family commitments as reasons for his resignation.

He said initially, it was some executive committee members who were opposed to his appointment and not umpires.

'It is only normal that when you are given a position not everybody will be happy,' Majase said.

He quashed reports of strained relations with his former deputy, saying he was the one who assisted him (Mataboge) in his career. Majase said he would continue to officiate at games whenever time allowed.

Mataboge would not comment on the allegations of bad blood, and instead referred all enquiries to BSA spokesperson, Kabelo Kwape.

Kwape said Majase resigned and cited work and family-related commitments. Kwape dismissed allegations that there could have been friction between Majase and other umpires. 'We have never had a situation where umpires refused to handle games,' Kwape said. He, however, confirmed that Mataboge at one stage stopped officiating saying he was unhappy with some unspecified issues.

'Now he is back and says he has learnt to live with the said issues,' Kwape said.