For many sportsmen world over, all that one needs is a shot at exposure on a big stage to prove their worth. Well the script doesn’t have to be edited for baseballs’ Little League Uganda.
On any given evening, one will find young boys and girls on equally dusty pitches at Nsambya and Kyambogo trying their luck at baseball. These are some of the pitches from which under privileged children were picked to join the little league team from Kampala.
The team caused an upset when they beat seasoned campaigners Saudi Arabia to win the Middle East/Africa Division Little league Series for 11 and 12 year olds in July 2011.After trying and failing for quite some time, Africa finally had a saviour. This victory earned Uganda an all expenses paid trip to Williamsport, USA for the Little World Series. For many baseball playing kids in the world, this is a dream come true.
Uganda was supposed to be the first African team in History to take part in the series but this dream was shuttered when some of the players were denied visas by the US state department.
This unfortunate incident got a lot of attention from the baseball fraternity and as a result, the Canadian Little Team which Uganda was supposed to have played at the World Series is in the country for a one week tour. The Ugandans get to play the game they missed, but this time on home soil.
With help from Right to play and many other Partners, the team will play two matches in Nakirebe in Mpigi on Tuesday and Kyambogo, Kampala on Saturday.
They are also holding coaching clinics in and around Kampala during their stay. The Canadian team is accompanied by Philadelphia Phillies MVP and All-star player Jimmy Rollins who’s Rollins family foundation is a partner in this tour.