Lim softball reflects on disappointing World Cup performance

POLOKWANE – The deputy chairperson of the Limpopo Softball Association, Benny Boshomane applauded four female softball players from the association who represented the country at the XVII World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Senior Women’s World Cup.

The tournament was held in Valencia, Spain from July 18-22 and the South African female softball team finished the tournament in last position after their loss to the host country as well as Toronto, Costa Rica, Cuba, China and The Netherlands.

Boshomane said despite the loss, the international experience they gained at the tournament will come in handy in local league matches.

“We are proud of the girls, but disappointed with the results. We struggled on the international stage. The inability to win a single match is a clear indication that there is a lot of work we need to do as a country. Our standard is low compared to other countries, they have better resources while we are still lacking.

“We need to come up with ways to motivate the female players. Players overseas are incentivised – some receive bursaries and scholarships to study at universities while in our country we are falling short in this regard.”

He said there is a need for a competitive female softball league to get players on par internationally.

“We don’t have a competitive female softball league in country and this has a detrimental effect on players’ progress. Our local league spans over six months, while overseas the leagues are played over 12 months. They take softball seriously and we don’t. Softball is an Olympic sport and should be treated as such.”

Boshomane said they have started with reparations for the provincial softball league, which starts in September.

“The teams will be at their respective training fields from this week to prepare for the league.”