LIMPOPO – Moletlane Texas ace pitcher, Tidima Kekana, will have plenty to prove when he jets off to the Canadian metropolis of Toronto for yet another installment of what is set to be a demanding yet enlightening International Softball Congress Tournament.
The rise and rise of Kekana has been one of the unequalled success stories of Limpopo and South African softball in recent times. With his scary blitzkrieg pitching, he has since cemented his berth in the national side, Simunye, and is now the undisputed leader of his country’s attack from the pitcher’s mound.
Ahead of his flight to the North American shores, Kekana was justifiably on cloud nine, unable to hide his exhilaration over his participation in this flagship tournament. “This tournament came at an opportune moment when I was longing for real action,” said Kekana.
He added it marks the beginning of a new era for him as a pitcher.
“This spells exciting moments for me as I believe it will lay a good foundation in order to prepare for next year’s World Series to be held in Prague in the Czech Republic,” he said.
“I plan to learn a lot of things from this tournament in Canada and I am sure there will be some valuable lessons which I intend to impart to my fellow countrymen.”
The tournament aims to promote fast-pitch throughout North America with athletes coming from all over the world and Kekana is just the prodigy to represent South Africa.
He will be in Canada as a guest player for the local side, 3 Cheers Pub Fast Pitch.
Teams from six regions: US East, US Central, US West, Canada East, Canada West and International will be represented at the world tournament.
So much has been spoken, written and speculated about the fear-provoking pace man’s pitching action that further analysis would be futile.
Suffice to say that Kekana’s curious style has been given the thumbs up by the game’s authorities.
The 32-year-old internationally-acclaimed softball icon from the citrus estate of Zebediela has raised the bar in an astonishing style since he made his international debut in 2008 in Holland where he featured in the Zeister Slot Tournament.
In 2009, Kekana represented his country during the International Softball Federation’s World Softball Super Series, the world cup version of softball, held in Canada.
After cementing his place in the national team, he went to New Zealand in 2013 for the Super Series where South Africa was eliminated in the group stages.
He was also part of the national team that went to Canada in 2017.
Bar his international exploits, he has always been instrumental to his home club, Texas’ success in leagues and major tournaments.
