(Facebook/2018 WBSC Junior Men's Softball World Championship)
Saskatchewan Tourism Awards

Softball organizers honoured again

Apr 12, 2019 | 4:05 PM

The organizing committee behind the Junior Men’s World Softball Championship has added another award to its trophy shelf.

Yesterday in Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatchewan awarded tournament organizers the Marquee Event of the Year Award. The award aims to recognize those who organized events that generated economic and cultural benefits for the province, and attracted international participants.

Organizing committee co-chair, Felix Casavant, accepted the award on behalf of the group. He said the softball tournament had a number of factors working in its favour.

“We hit it on just about every note, so we were very proud and humbled to be recognized,” he said.

Taking a closer look at what helped put the P.A. event over the top, Casavant explained there were two things which stood out right away.

“The first world championship to ever be held in our city, was probably one reason and the economic spinoff it had for our city and the province,” he said.

Along with these attributes, Casavant felt the positive recognition the committee received from Softball Canada and the World Baseball Softball Congress worked in their favour as well.

“I believe that those things put us above and beyond the other two competitors,” he said.

Before Thursday, Ian Litzenberger and Kalen Kovitch were also recognized by the local Kinsmen club as Sportmen of the Year. Casavant and fellow co-chair Derek Smith were given the 2018 Citizen of the Year Award for their work.

“I can’t say enough that we have the greatest volunteers in the world and we proved it during those 10 days and this recognition is well deserved and to all of them; they deserve it so much,” he said.

Besides the softball tournament, the Wheatland Express Train running from between Cudworth and Wakaw was honoured with the Rookie Business of the Year Award.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

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