Africa: Softball season cancelled in Botswana, restarts January 2021

The Botswana Softball Association (BSA) has cancelled the 2019-2020 BoFiNeT Botswana Softball League due to COVID-19. No national champions will be declared in either the men's or women’s leagues. The BSA also announced that there won’t be any official softball competitions in Botswana for the rest of 2020.

The men and women’s leagues opened in February, but only lasted until March when all was put on hold due to the pandemic. A total of 10 teams started the women’s competition: BDF IX, Bears, BMC Rivals, Dinare, Eagles, Panthers, Police IX, Titans, UB Giants and Wells.

The 12-team men’s competition includes BDF IX, Blue Angels, BMC Rivals, Bears, Dinare, Eagles, Gatalamotho, G. Warriors, Panthers, Police IX, UB Giants and Wells.

The BSA Secretary General, Tsuna Makwa, sent a letter to the teams, stating: “The preparation for the next season includes, but is not limited to, clubs compliance to the COVID-19 protocols and to upgrade the National Diamond [softball grounds] to an acceptable standard.”

Clubs will be allowed to train during 2020, but not compete. The next BoFiNeT Softball League will start in January 2021.

Botswana is currently ranked 12th in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Rankings, and 40th in the women’s rankings.