MEDIA INVITATION/RELEASE
9 FEBRUARY 2011


The City of Cape Town’s Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department will host a special dinner to thank all those who volunteered their services for the 9th International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Women’s World Softball Championships, which were held at the Turfhall sports ground from 7 – 17 December 2011.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Tandeka Gqada, will acknowledge the fundamental role played by volunteers in ensuring the tournament’s success.

Date: Friday 10 February 2012

Venue: Belthorne Hall, Turfhall Stadium, Athlone

Time: 18:30 – 21:00

All media are welcome to attend.

The City partnered with the Western Province Softball Federation and Softball South Africa to host one of the most successful World Softball Championships yet, under the banner of the ISF.

“The City is proud to have been given the opportunity to host this tournament and we will build on the experience gained to ensure that Cape Town remains a local and international sporting destination of choice. We are pleased to report that the tournament took place without incident, thereby proving yet again that Cape Town is capable of hosting sporting events of this calibre.

“A total of 120 volunteers dedicated their time to the championships. Volunteers make a huge contribution to major events and without their involvement we cannot effectively deliver on our mandate as a Caring City and a Safe City. Tournaments like this also offer them the opportunity to gain experience in sporting event organisation,” said Councillor Gqada.

The tournament saw 15 countries competing for top honours, namely: Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa and the United States of America (USA).

The Secretary General of the International Softball Federation, Low Beng Choo, said that the representatives of participating national teams rated the 2011 Junior Women’s World Softball Championships as the best-ever organised championship.

“National teams like the USA (who have played softball in countries across the globe) rated this event as unsurpassed in terms of organisation, professionalism, and most of all the tremendous hospitality extended by all South Africans with whom they came into contact,” said Choo. 


END

ISSUED BY:
LISLE BROWN
MEDIA LIAISON OFFICER
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 3065
CELL: 084 888 1901

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
COUNCILLOR TANDEKA GQADA
MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 1290
CELL: 082 088 4078