Botswana: Under-19 Softball Team Leaves for Whitehorse
Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
5 June 2008
Mosah Mokganedi
The national Under-19 softball team will this month travel to Whitehorse Yukon, Canada, for the Junior Men’s International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championships.
The 10-day tournament starts on June 20-30. Earlier last week there was uncertainty as to whether the team would make it, as the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) did not have enough funds.
But BSA president Marumo Morule said in Gaborone yesterday that the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has come to their rescue by giving them money for air tickets while the BSA would look for more funds to meet other expenses. Botswana, who will be making their maiden appearance at the championship, will feature in the opening game against defending champions Australia followed by a game between Canada and the Czech Republic later in the night. Organisers have announced that 12 countries will do battle in a round robin tournament with Botswana and South Africa being the only African nations participating. Other countries include three-time defending champion Australia, as well as Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the United States of America (US), and Venezuela. Canada previously earned bronze medals at the World Championships in 2005 in summer side, in 2001 in Sydney, Australia, and in 1997 in St. John’s, New Zealand. The top four countries will advance to the play-offs on June 28, as the third and fourth place teams will square off immediately followed by a second play-off game between the two top teams. The winner of the latter will advance to the Grand Final, while the losing team will meet the winner of the first play-off game to determine who reaches the Grand Final.
Joseph Moroka with Kabelo Kwape as his assistant will coach the Botswana team at the games. Others in the travelling party are Donald Ferguson, as the head of delegation, Donald Fologang (statistician), Kopanang Thekiso (manager) and Letsweletse Jonas (BISA liaison officer). The assistant coach said last week that the preparations for the team were going on well.
The BSA has also announced a 17-man final squad that will represent Botswana at the competitions as Aldrin Villander, Boikhutso Letlhomo, Edwin Gaofano, and Ene Makgetho, Eric Simwanza, Keabetswe Leagetse, Kagiso Mogale, Kealeboga Tsienyane, Moremi Moremi, Kedibonye Moseki, Bofelo Lopang, Phemelo Nyawe, Sean Ntshebe, Thata Ntau, Tiro Mazulugwa, Thabang Mokgabo, and Tshepiso Tinah. The team’s final preparation camp is scheduled for June 13. It is expected to play South Africa in international friendly games on June 14 and 15.
Editor’s Note: Where is Botswana you say? Right here:
