By Puleng Maphisa 23 June 2022

Koketso Ramaila is a 20-year-old, ambitious young woman who grew up in Katlehong but currently resides in Kempton Park.

She matriculated at Palmridge combined school, and is currently a second-year student in Logistics at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).

Koketso is not just a student but also a dedicated VUT softball player who strives to do her best to win games. In 2019 she was selected to be part of the ladies Softball National Team to compete in the world championships in the United States of America.

Her passion and dedication to sport has paid off handsomely.   Currently, she holds the title of 2021 Sportswoman of the Year – awarded to her by the Ekurhuleni Women in Sports.  Also recently, Koketso was nominated for the 2022 Gauteng Sports Awards and made it to the final stages of the competition. For her achievement, she received a certificate that acknowledges her commitment to sport.

Koketso’s journey started in 2016 while she was in grade 8.   Taking up softball was all about curiosity and wanting to know more about the sport. She fell in love with it.

“It was my first time being exposed to softball, and I got triggered to know more about it. I didn’t choose softball, it chose me instead. I believe it took my focus off bad things that a typical township girl would get into,” she explained.

Sharing a bit more about her journey, Koketso said she has a passion for trying out new things, and softball is one of them. Finance is the only challenge she has faced ever since she took up the sport, and the best games she ever played was when playing for VUT against her home team, Palmridge Softball club.

Her dream is to change people’s perceptions about softball. “I’ve noticed over the years that I’ve been playing that we do not get the exposure and the support we need from the public. Maybe we could start by broadcasting our biggest tournament on Super Sport channels, just so that we increase interest in softball,” she said chuckling.

Her message to her peers is simple. “Sport on its own is not enough. Finding the balance between sport and studies is very important, and this is the most difficult part.  However, once you find the balance, you will excel in whatever you do”.