Baseball/Softball support by JICA volunteers
- Time Period
- From 1968 to the present day
- Region
- 36 countries across Central and South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East
- Sport/Programme Category
- Baseball/Softball
- Implementer
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Recipient Organisation
- Baseball/softball associations of each country
- Co-Implementer
- Baseball/softball associations of each country
As an example, many JICA volunteers have taught baseball and been active in Uganda. A Ugandan baseball player coached by volunteers tried out for the Japan professional independent league team the Hyogo Blue Thunders and passed with flying colors, becoming a starting member of the team in April 2013. The volunteers have done a wonderful job on teaching ball-field behavior, and the Ugandan player is polite, and operates on a foundation of respectful 'Japanese-style Baseball' to this very day
As an example, many JICA volunteers have taught baseball and been active in Uganda. A Ugandan baseball player coached by volunteers tried out for the Japan professional independent league team the Hyogo Blue Thunders and passed with flying colors, becoming a starting member of the team in April 2013. The volunteers have done a wonderful job on teaching ball-field behavior, and the Ugandan player is polite, and operates on a foundation of respectful 'Japanese-style Baseball' to this very dayFeedback from :
When our volunteers were recognized by the International Baseball Federation with a Special Award in 2013, Federation Vice-President Ishola Williams commented that "There would be no possibility of developing African baseball in many countries without JICA volunteers. Their actions have led many Africans to call Japanese youths 'Friends of Africa', and they have built extremely close relationships.
Photo: Takeshi