ADF to help construct standard baseball field in Ghana

Accra, Feb 28, GNA - African Development Foundation (ADF) in conjunction with Major League Baseball (MLB) set up to develop baseball in Africa have promised to help construct a standard baseball pitch and an academy in Ghana to help develop the sport. Mr George Ntim, Founder and Chairman of ADF said the construction of the pitch would play a big role in the development of the sport in Ghana.

He regretted that presently the only standard pitch on the continent is in South Africa and the only way that Ghana can catch up with the development of the game is to ensure that facilities are available for players who show their love for the game to harness their skills.

Mr Ntim added that in addition to the construction of the field, an academy would be built along side so that select players with the talent are helped to properly develop their talents. He said the main idea behind the setting up of the academy is to help groom Ghanaian players for the major league baseball in the United States of America.

In an effort to propagate the sport in the country, ADF over the weekend presented baseball equipment worth 100,000 dollars to the Ghana Baseball and Softball Association (GBSA) to help in the development of the game on the local scene.

Mr Ntim said his association would also soon bring trainers from the MLB to help develop the game in the country. He said the donation would not be the last since the Foundation aims making similar donation to the Baseball Association, all geared towards improving training and sponsorship of the game. that Ghana qualifies for the 2011 little Leagues World Championship. Baseball in Ghana started around Cantonments in Accra in 1988 by children of staff of the US Embassy and other US citizens at an area called Budweiser field later named Brynn Park that was named after one of the American Ambassadors posted to Ghana, Ambassador Edward Brynn. Some young Ghanaians living around quickly picked up the sport and with the help of the Americans, they were helped to further their new found passion.

The association was finally recognised by the National Sports Council resulting in the birth of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Association, GHABSA in 1992. 28 Feb. 06