On the 9th February 2022, we saw the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tuelo D. Serufho giving a word of encouragement and bidding farewell to the Softball national team as they headed to Pretoria, South Africa, to compete against South Africa & Kenya, at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Senior Men World Championship qualifiers, from 11th to 13th February 2022. The selected men yearning to continue flying the BW Flag higher were under the stewardship of Head Coach Mr Pako Maforaga and Assistant Coach Ontimile Tapiso. The rest of the team comprised of the following;
1. Kagiso Johannes Mogale -Athlete
2. Kunyalala Samuel -Athlete
3. Karabo Motsholathebe -Athlete
4. Pamidzani Mazulukwa -Athlete
5. Unaswi Pako Gudu -Athlete
6. Thabiso Radithobane Athlete
7. Tshepo Ditiro -Athlete
8. Moses Kgosimore -Athlete
9. Tiro Mazulugwa -Athlete
10. Jury Manaka -Captain
11. Brian Thabang Dekoker -Athlete
12. Mphapogang Desmond Tshepiso-Athlete
13. Eric Simwanza -Athlete
14. Kefilwe Kabo Kenosi -Athlete
15. Albert Kganetsano -Athlete
16. Gofaone Monkemedi -Athlete
17. Baolopi Thamuku-Athlete
18. Sithabile Refilwe Machao-Physiotherapist
19. Gabriel Pako Maforaga-Head Coach
20. Otimile Tapiso –Assistant Coach
21. Nozibonela T. Payet -Head of Delegation
22. Tony C.M Moyo -Assistant Coach
23. Tshepo A. Ranthleng- Umpire
24. Veronica Mhaladi-Team Scorer
25. Tebogo Johannes- Team Manager
26. Lazarus V. Kgagodi- Compliance Officer
27. Basiame Molatlhiwa
The team fought a good fight at the qualifiers which ended yesterday where they made it all the way to the finals without losing a single game. Unfortunately, they couldn’t emulate their earlier encounters against South Africa where they outclassed them 2-0 and 11-0. The team lost 3-4 to South Africa in the Final. Congrats to Team BW for making it all the way to the finals.