A softball tourney of epic proportions scheduled for Polokwane

The city of Polokwane will welcome dozens of softball players for the 2024 edition of the National Provincial Championships (NPC) which takes place from March 19 to 23.  

Softballers are coming from all walks of South African life to enjoy softball at the Polokwane Cricket Grounds. But little do they know that the capital city they are visiting is the heartbeat of sports tourism in Limpopo.

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The five-day thriller is played under the auspices of Softball South Africa featuring almost all the provinces of South Africa in both the men and women categories competing for the game’s Holy Grail.

The host province under the umbrella of the Limpopo Softball Association (LSA) has been toiling hard to ensure that this event turns out to be a memorable experience that will be remembered in the annals of sport even after it has past.  

LSA chairwoman, Mokgadi Mswazi reiterated that this year’s edition of the NPC will be one of the much-talked-about sporting events for months in reminiscence of the greatest softball experience in Limpopo and beyond.

“We can assure ballgame lovers that they will be treated to some of the most scintillating games South Africa has ever organised. The NPC, true to its long-time tradition, is an epic tournament where the best of the best play their hearts out and this one is going to be an epic one,” she said.

The visiting teams will be treated to meteorological conditions with an average temperature fluctuating between 10.4°C and 25.2°C – weather permitting.

With more than a century of phenomenal growth and prosperity, the hospitality sector of Polokwane has the capacity to accommodate over 5000 guests, including athletes, administrators, match officials and the legion of spectators who worship at the altar of softball conviction.

As the provincial economic hub, the hospitality sector here prides itself on modern eateries serving mouth-watering African cuisines to choose from.

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Mike Tautsoala, the spokesperson for the Limpopo Tourism Agency reckons tourism will thrive through this softball event as players will be booking accommodation and buying several items to create memorable experiences during their stay in the city.

“These types of events no doubt boost our tourism economy while at the same time enhancing the profile of our sports tourism drive. As we all know, sport is a unifying activity but more people go to sports events to support their teams and individual players participating in that particular sport.

“We are pleased that softball will bring more visitors to our province and, if time allows, explore the treasures of Limpopo while enjoying the hospitality of Polokwane and its surroundings,” said Tautsoala.

By Moyahabo Mabeba

*Mabeba is the Head of Marketing and Publicity at LSA and PRO of the Capricorn Sport Confederation.