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Botswana: Softball Veteran Left Speechless
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
8 April 2008
Posted to the web 10 April 2008
Mosah Mokganedi
Gaborone
The occasion was too overwhelming and the founding father of Vikings softball club and Botswana Softball Association (BSA) Andrew Pusetso Mokoto stood shaking scratching his head when he reached the podium.
He was lost for words and when he finally recovered some of his poise, Mokoto quipped: "I have never understood the meaning of the word humble until today. I really do not know what to do, I just feel like crying". It was an emotional moment for the softball veteran at a dinner hosted to reward clubs and individuals who took part in the Oseg-AP Diamond Classic softball tournament organised by Vikings. The tournament that ran for three months was used to honour Mokoto for his contribution to softball development and to raise funds for charity.
It was also used to give softballers fun. It was hosted in three stages each with a different purpose. Mokoto said it was emotionally overwhelming to be given such an honour. "I now understand why people always prefer to honour others after they are dead," he said. At the same event, Mokoto awarded a cheque of P10,000 to a charity organisation called Christian Community Services. The money was part of proceeds from the tournament. The remaining amount will be given to BSA youth development programme. Mokoto said he chose the Christian organisation after realising that it is faced with a lot of financial problems. He advised softballers to always seek help from past softball administrators in the game to develop at the desired pace.
Giving the keynote address, Boyce Sebetela of Debswana said the tournament gave him hope for the future of softball. He applauded Vikings for hosting the event - the first of its kind in the softball fraternity to honour a legend. "It is a good thing that we are honouring the person who sacrificed his time for our benefit. If it was not for him, we are not sure if we would be here today," Sebetela said. He added that sport remains an important aspect of human life development as it produces a well-rounded person. He cautioned other clubs not to be jealous of what Vikings has achieved but to learn from them. "Let this event not create friction between Vikings and other clubs, work together and learn from each other".
The main sponsor of the tournament, Oseg Group chief executive officer Majakathata Pheko expressed worry at the slow pace at which softball is developing. He said softball has not grown much in the past 10 years. However, he said his company is very proud to have been associated with Vikings. He explained that the tournament was an exciting one in that it involved a number of events. He added that the tournament gave Oseg the much-needed mileage as it got maximum media coverage. He used the event to invite more companies to sponsor the tournament, as they want it to grow from strength to strength. The awards went to the champions and runner-ups in both categories. In the women category, Wells pocketed P10,000 while runner-ups Bears got P6,900. In men's category, BDF IX got P14,000 while Blue Angeles got P6, 900. Dipotso Morebudi of Wells and Molemi Matshediso of BDF IX were selected best female hitter and male hitter respectively.
Other categories
Best male fielder: Chedzani Moloi (BDF)
Best female fielder: Iponeng Molapong (Wells)
Best female pitcher: Keneilwe Poifo (Wells)
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Best male pitcher: Mothusi Shalobana (BDF)
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| Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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