SEDIBENG.- Gone are the days when softball was one of the popular sports in our community.

Those with good and long memories will attest to Zakes’s Sports Corner that the Sebokeng and Sharpeville communities enjoyed watching softball every weekend.

Sadly, not anymore. This is because the sport has been forgotten for some reason.

The truth is that apart from football and netball, softball was one of the most popular sporting codes in the township. The question is what led to the death of this sport in our community?

Zakes’ Sports Corner still recalls how the Sebokeng community used to come and watch softball next to the Zone 14 shopping complex. This was long before the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Centre was built. This was during the days of Phera Mautloa, Kgapa Bapela, and Bricks Tsunke. Zakes’s Sports Corner is aware that some of them are no more.

Zakes’ Sports Corner challenges those former softball players and administrators to bring the sport back to the community. The truth is that football and netball are not the only sporting codes in our community. Zakes’ Sports Corner is aware that Phera Mautloa is still around and I challenged him to revive this sport in our communities.

There is a serious need for this sport to be revived. Not every child will play football or netball. Some of those who played softball even represented our country at international levels. The late Mosiuoa Motsapi was one of those who hoisted the Vaal flag high on the international stage.

Zakes’ Sports Corner hopes Bra Phera reads this and does something about this – to bring softball back into our townships. For now, Zakes’ Sports Corner will be waiting in anticipation for this.