Botswana Softball Association (BSA) and the Botswana Fibre Networks (BOFINet) have started negotiations to renew their four year partnership.
This was revealed by the Chairman of the BOFINet Board of Directors, Ratsela Mooketsi during the 2016/ 2017 BOFINET Softball Awards ceremony which was hosted at the Masa Conference Centre on Friday.
The awards marked the official end of the 2016/ 2017 league whilst also signalling the start of the 2017/ 2018 league season.
In his remarks, Mooketsi reminded his audience that BOFINet came on board to sponsor the BSA league for a four year period in 2014 and the two parties’ marriage will conclude at the end of 2017/18 season.
“This season is the last season with the current relationship,” Mooketsi announced.
The BOFINet Board of Directors chairman described the four year partnership with the BSA as ‘the best four years of a wonderful partnership.’
He said the partnership began with a sponsorship of P1 million but in the year 2016, they noticed the dramatic development in Softball which made them increase the sponsorship to P1.6 million.
He however said he does not expect this to be the end of their relationship as they are already negotiating a way forward for this bond to keep going.
Mooketsi then expressed his outmost appreciation to the teams and in particular the champions of the just ended league, and encouraged them to work even harder.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) Kabelo Ebineng encouraged teams to start preparing for the next season.
He noted that softball does not end with the league but that teams should start preparations ‘now so that you will be winners in the next award ceremony.’
“I am expecting a more fierce battle next year. You should all experience how it feel to win BOFINET league,” said Ebineng
At the ceremony, BDF IX (men) and Police IX (women) were crowned the winners of their respective leagues following a stellar season for both. Both teams walked away with P100 000 each.
In individual awards, Boy Moitai and Moalosi Morulaganyi were crowned the most valuable players north in the ladies and men categories respectively.
From the South, the award went to Moses Kgosimore and Bafedile Dube in the men and ladies categories respectively. All the MVPs walked away P1000, 00 richer at the end of the night.
The best catcher award was given to Police IX player Magdeline Mabutho in the ladies, while going to Tshepiso Mathame of BDF IX walked away with the award in the men’s category. Both were given P2500.00 prize money each.
Best pitcher awards went to Oreabetse Mojeremane (ladies) of Police IX and and Kagiso Mogale (men) of BDF IX both banking P2500, 00.
However, the biggest awards of the night, being the Best player BOFINET league for both man and woman went to Magdeline Butro Mabutho of Police IX and Kaone Sekate of Police IX respectively. The two walking away with P3500, 00 each.
