By Tracey Liverpool
The inaugural Prime Minister’s Softball Cricket Competition concluded over the weekend with thrilling semifinal and final matches in the sub-district of Kwakwani.
Speightland emerged as champions, claiming victory in a high-scoring final against Kwakwani, the home team.
The competition kicked off on Saturday with fierce semifinal clashes, leading to an exciting showdown on Sunday.
Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who bowled the first ball of the final, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, noting its potential to become an annual fixture on the regional sports calendar.
He emphasized the importance of using the tournament to promote sports tourism in Kwakwani and highlighted the talent and energy on display.
In the final, Speightland demonstrated their dominance by scoring 178 for 3, leaving Kwakwani to chase 136 for 7, ultimately falling short of the title despite their home-ground advantage.
In the third-place match, Calcuni secured victory over Malali, bowling them out for 65 after putting up 96 runs.
The tournament, the first of its kind, featured 16 teams competing for substantial cash prizes.
Speightland took home the championship trophy and $500,000, while Kwakwani earned $300,000 as runners-up.
Calcuni received $200,000 for their third-place finish, and Malali settled for $60,000.
The Prime Minister affirmed his commitment to making the tournament an annual event, highlighting its potential to attract tourists and promote Kwakwani as a key destination for sports.