ISF visits Cape Town

The International Softball Federation (ISF) conducted an inspection visit to Cape Town last week. Low Beng Choo (ISF Secretary General) and Laurie Gouthro (ISF Director of Competitions) met with Softball South Africa officials, Western Province Softball Federation Executive Committee, LOC and City officials and politicians during their four day visit.
The delegation appeared happy with the preparations for the 9th Junior Women World Championships to be held in the Mother City from 6 - 17 December 2011.

The visit started with a tour of the softball stadium where the Director of Sport and Recreation of the City of Cape Town, Gert Bam, showed them the facility and discussed the planned upgrading for the world event. That same evening the delegation met and interacted with other City officials and politicians hosted by the City.

In his address, Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services said, "The City of Cape Town is proud to be a supporter of this event. The hosting and active supporting of international and national events is part of the City's strategy to position itself as an events and sporting tourism capital. It is also important that the City provides an accesible platform for young people, of both genders, to enjoy diverse recreational and sporting opportunities and we are convinced that the hosting of this international event will invigorate interest in softball and generate interest in participating in young women".

"It is our duty to ensure that young people, especially in communities marginalised by poverty, have equitable access to recreational activities as this is an important component of human and social development. To achieve this we must partner events such as the ISF Championships in December 2011 that will raise the profile of the sport, create awareness of an accessible sporting code and encourage participation.", he continued.

Ms. Choo and Ms. Gouthro were also shown beautiful Cape Town compliments of Cape Town Tourism when they were shuttled around in our topless bus and taken to the top of Table Mountain with the cable car.
A visit to the new Cape Town Stadium, venue of the FIFA World Cup preceded a visit to the hotels earmarked for the Championships.
The contract for the hosting of the eventwas signed by Ms. Choo and Softball South Africa President, Guillo Marapjane.

Twelve countries already qualified for the event. They are:

South Africa (Hosts)
USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Argentina Americas)
Italy, Germany and Russia (Europe)
Japan, China and Chinese Taipei (Asia)

Outstanding are two countries each from Oceania and Africa.