Softball popularity is waning in the province
THE financial dilemma in softball in Limpopo is affecting the growth of the sport in regions of the province where it remains unfamiliar as well as ensuring that their ongoing fixture programmes take place as planned.
Moyahabo Mabeba
LIMPOPO – THE financial dilemma in softball in Limpopo is affecting the growth of the sport in regions of the province where it remains unfamiliar as well as ensuring that their ongoing fixture programmes take place as planned.
The incumbent regime that runs the affairs of the Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) has the mammoth task of returning the sport to its glory days when there was mass participation.
Currently softball in the province has no financial backing.
Over the weekend, the LSA organised a few fixtures in some regions amid low morale.
However, those geographically located in the Capricorn district decided to reschedule their fixture programme and held a meeting in Polokwane to map their way forward.
Gathered at one of the lush eateries in the city, they were all in congruence that all was not well under the current LSA.
Benny Boshomane, who chaired the meeting, said: “The purpose of the gathering was to come up with a comprehensive plan to run an effective league programme in the district.
“We owe this to our loyal supporters who want to see a properly run structure.
“Softball deserves better and we don’t want it to be the sham it is today. We need to implement a strategic plan that will reignite the flame and passion that has been associated with the game since the 1980s”.
Softball’s fortunes have dwindled in recent years and those who follow the game religiously are not happy about the status quo.
In street corner talks, bar conversations and other social gatherings, people still ask why one of the biggest sporting codes in the province has taken such a nosedive.
The LSA currently experiences financial difficulty since they lost their major sponsor, SABMiller, who had long funded the Hansa Super League and flagship Hansa Classic Tournament, which was played on an annual basis.
There was also the LimDev Super League whose mainstay was short-lived as well as Kitso Technologies who sponsored the Top-Eight Tournament, under the backing of Lebowa Funerals.
A marketing strategist, who opted to speak on the basis of anonymity, said: “Softball used to be a big brand in the province.
“There is no doubt that if the leadership can come up with a good marketing campaign of staging big events, softball will return to its former glory.”
The marketing guru’s sentiments are concurred by the governing structure’s treasurer John Legodi, who says: “Potential sponsors want to see us in action. There is no sponsor who can sponsor us without seeing our teams in action.”
