On Thursday, August 8 2024, Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation (GBSF) together with the Japan Baseball Softball Foundation (J-ABS) paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa who stood in for the Director General.
The visit was to inform the NSA about the roll out of the third phase of its J-ABS Ballership Program. The initiative is aimed at popularizing the sport in the country.
The GBSF and J-ABS embarked on a three-year partnership in 2022 with the purpose of boosting the Baseball discipline in Ghana which is dubbed the ‘’Baseballership Education Program’’. At the core of this project is the curriculum developed by Mr. Shinya Tomonari, the founder of J-ABS who was a former head coach of the National Baseball team, ‘’the Rising Stars’’.
The program focuses on character development and life skills through Baseball, with a curriculum built on fifty-five core principles. Ten volunteer coaches from KEIO University in Japan are in Accra to collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts to implement the Baseballership Education Program in some selected schools and communities.
Speaking at the meeting, the President of African Baseball, Mr. Albert Frimpong, promised to spread the Baseballership Education Program to other parts of Africa, highlighting its potential to transform young lives across the continent. In addition, Mr. Shinya Tomonari stated that the program is a game changer for sports development in Ghana.
The President of GSBF, Mr. Ernest Danso said the program would be replicated across all the sixteen regions in the country, siting its success and the positive impacts it has already made.
The Deputy Director General of the NSA, Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa, in his keynote address pledged the Authority’s commitment to assist with the growth of Baseball and Softball in the country.
Additionally, he stated that the NSA supports all the disciplines in Ghana hence, the NSA would be ready to recommend a member from the technical department to join the program.
To conclude, the Deputy Director General of NSA, Alhaji Abdul Majeed Bawa wished the visiting delegation success in their efforts and expressed optimism that their partnership would leave a lasting impact on the development of Baseball and Softball in Ghana.
Story by;
Sharon Naa Odoley Odoi
Joan Oduro-Nyarko
NSA-PR
08-08-24