By Silvano Kibuuka

The Japanese government has offered a grant of sh350m for construction of a modern baseball and softball stadium in Uganda.

The Asian country's ambassador to Uganda Minagawa Kozua saluted New Vision for publishing a story highlighting the sorry state of stadiums across the country.

The published story also indicated steps the Uganda government has taken to address the situation. Six regional stadiums, each with a capacity of 15,000, will be rehabilitated.

The Japan envoy hailed New Vision as his government offered the grant for construction of a modern structure to facilitate baseball and softball in the country.

The facility that will be the first of it’s kind in East and Central Africa, will be set up in Gayaza.

At a ground breaking function attended by the state minister for sports, Charles Bakkabulindi, Kozua expressed optimism that the facility will contribute to development of the sport.

He said young and talented people should be helped to realise their potential. Kozua believes the facility will also bring Japanese and Ugandans more closer.

Bakkabulindi hailed the Japanese for their gesture. “What we call small games should be developed,” he said. The Catholic Church provided land for the project to be completed in November.

Meanwhile, plans are on to put up facilities for soccer, tennis and netball on land adjacent the softball and baseball pitch later on.