Diminutive Felix Barugahare, was the hero of the day as Uganda beat Canada by two runs in thrilling game in the Pearl of Africa series Canada Uganda youth baseball in Nakirebe,Mpigi this morning off Masaka road.
The 11 year old scored Uganda’s decisive run in the sixth inning to give the little league lads an emphatic win over Canadian all star side that took
part in the Little League baseball series in the USA last year. Aboki as he is known was hoisted by his team-mates, fans as they celebrated this important win
“It has been a tough journey for us and I am happy that we have beaten an experienced side here at home,” George Mukhobe said after the win. “Our game plan was to use six out of our ten pitchers to outwit them and it worked.”
Uganda played an aggressive game that saw Brian Segawa give his nation an early lead in the first inning, but the Canadian boys clawed back with Cole Cantelon scoring a run in the top sixth. It was Uganda’s first international tournament it was hosting after failing to acquire US visa’s to take part in Little League Baseball series last year in the USA.
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 and Derrek Lee. “I am impressed with the Ugandan boys and this exposure will help them alot,” Dean Cantelon, the head coach of the Canadians said. “The Ugandan players have very good pitchers and they can improve on their game if given the necessary training and exposure.”
The Uganda All Star league will in August this year host a team from USA according to the director of the baseball side Mukhobe.