The 2017 project to develop baseball and softball at the grass root level in Uganda started with school development programs: training of sports teachers, players clinics and regional tournaments.
The Baseball and Softball Association of Uganda identified 12 Districts: Mbale, Soroti, Iganga, Jinja. Tororo, Busia, Lira, Gulu, Apac, Nebbi, Arua and Kitgum. Then targeted 4 schools in each District and decided to send 5 coaches per District for a week every month to carry out the activities: Coach Development programs for sport teachers, daily baseball and softball clinics and follow up tournaments. The programs will reach also the Districts of Namutumba, Kapchorwa and Wakiso.
The most recent events happened in the Arua District from 12 June to 18 June in the Mvara Secondary School. The 24 sports teachers who trained for 2 days where certified and received the WBSC Mini Handbook for baseball and softball and 10 secondary schools participated in the regional tournaments. Clinics where conducted by envoy coaches on a daily bases in Mvara secondary school, Arua public secondary school, St Joseph’s College, Ombachi secondary school, Arua secondary school, Muni Girls secondary school, St Mary’s Ediofe girls secondary school, Mandela Comprehensive secondary school.
The next events are scheduled to happen on 16 July in Luwero District and 30 July in Tororo District.
The National Secondary Schools Baseball and Softball Championship will be played from 25 August to 31 August.
Girls in action during grass root activities in Uganda
In a press release, the Baseball and Softball Association of Uganda wrote: “We would like to extend appreciations to the World Baseball and Softball Confederation for the Mini Hand Books for baseball and softball that were used to train the sports teachers, KK travellers bus company for the trophy and soft drinks, Ms Ruth Hoffman for the trophy and Mr Sid Harper for the edibles”.
On a final note, the Association highlighted as challenges: “Transportation, accomodation and feeding of the coaches and inadequate equipment. Each school in the Arua District received 2 gloves, 4 balls, 1 bat and 1 catcher gear”.