Legends celebrated at softball tournament

GEORGE NEWS - Softball South Africa Masters Division (SSAMD) held a tournament from 20 to 23 September to celebrate the legends who have contributed to softball.

Particular recognition was given to Mathews Kutumela, who is the SSA honorary president and a top performer of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

Kutumela is one of the founding fathers of softball in South Africa, but is mostly remembered for his contribution to and the role he played in the unification of softball in the country.

Mathews Kutumela

At the closing gala ceremony, SSAMD chairperson Derick Mahapa thanked all participating teams, with special thanks to Lesotho Baseball Softball Association for their support.

It was their second year participating in the SSAMD International Masters Tournament.

Mahapa also thanked the teams from Botswana, who continue to come every year.

He urged SA masters teams to support Botswana by participating in the Bosma annual masters tournament held in May.

"The tournament was a success and the local organising committee, Eden Softball and Western Cape Softball associations, delivered a wonderful and memorable event.

"The tournament from day one to the last day was just electric," said Mahapa.

Lesotho was represented by two teams and Botswana by nine.

A total of 36 teams competed with about 850 participants (players, coaches and team managers) and 46 technical officials (umpires and scorers).

The following softball legends were honoured during the closing ceremony:

National category legends: Cecilia Veote, Maureen Jangle, Thelma Achilles and Bennet Bailey

Provincial category legends: Dr Andrew Wentzel, Lorraine Primo, Johanna Stuurman, Amanda Stripp, Jacobus van der Linde, Abraham de Bryn, Ivor Lovell, Moses Carolus, Mary Bennett, Robert MacArthur and Dorothy Raynard

The SSAMD executive committee who played a crucial role in making the event a success are, from left: Derick Mahapa, Elliot Simango, Tebogo Chipana and Sithembele Nteyi.