THE hosting of the ninth Junior Women's World Softball Championship in Cape Town in December is gaining momentum with tickets going on sale on Friday.

"The sale will be done on our website: www.jwwc2011.co.za, which is linked to Computicket. Tickets cost R20 per day," said Local Organising Committee chairperson Noore Nacerodien.

Nacerodien is also the deputy president of Softball South Africa, whose president Guillo "S'dumo" Marapyane said they were happy with preparations for the championships.

Sixteen countries that will take part in this quadrennial tournament organised by the International Softball Federation (ISF) have been confirmed: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, US and Zimbabwe.

The tournament takes place from December 6 to 17 at Turfhall Softball Stadium, which was originally planned as part of the city's failed 2004 Olympic bid.

The Cape Town municipality is spending R1,5million on renovating the stadium to prepare it for the championship.

"Noore and his committee in Cape Town are doing a great job and we also appreciate the support from the City of Cape Town in all our preparations," Marapyane said yesterday.

ISF president Don Porter said: "The organising committee is giving a world-class effort in making this our marquee event of 2011.

"They are showing great pride in putting South Africa in the spotlight for well over a week. The athletes, officials, spectators and media will enjoy their stay in Cape Town."