Japanese to introduce hit baseball in Ghana

Accra, Feb 6, GNA - A six man Japanese delegation from the Association for Friends of African Baseball led by its Chairman, Mr Shinya Tomonari have arrived in Accra on a week's visit to introduce a new brand of baseball called Hit baseball into the country. Nana Adwoa Awindor, a member of 'Baseball Ghana Foundation', a Non Governmental Organization formed to develop baseball at the grassroots level, told the GNA Sports in an interview that the introductory exercise would mostly involve students from some selected Junior Secondary Schools who have the interest of the sport.

She said during the visit, the Japanese would meet with the Ghana Baseball Association and the Japan Oversees Development Agency (JICA) to strategize as to how best to sustain the interest in the new discipline after its introduction.

Nana Awindor said JICA was invited to be part of the exercise because of the crucial role they have played and continue to play in the development of the sport in the country, and it hoped that contribution would be crucial for the survival of the new discipline in the country. The team during the visit, would also be expected to pay a courtesy call on the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Minister of Education and Sports.

Hit baseball is a brand of baseball, which even though follows the fundamental laws of baseball, does not require most of the expensive gadgets required for the sport. Nana Awindor said an introductory clinic would be handled by Mr Tomonari, who is no stranger to Ghana baseball, having helped to introduce the sport in the country about 10 years ago as well as also handling the national baseball team for almost three years at its formative period.

Some of the schools expected to take part in the exercise include SOS Schools, La Yahosua Junior Secondary Schools and Association International School.

She said after the clinic, 'Baseball Ghana Foundation', would also organize a competition among pupils from all the schools that took part in the competition to test the rate at which they have been able to grasp the rules of the sport. Nana Adwoa Awindor said after the competition, prizes would be awarded to deserving schools. Among the six member visiting Japanese team is Ryo Kosuda, a Director of the Association.