Uganda ready to host Eastern African Youth Baseball5 World Cup qualifiers

Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA) president John Bosco Ssempa has said Uganda's hosting of the Eastern African Youth Baseball5 World Cup Qualifiers is a major opportunity for the growth of the sport in the country.

The national team has been in camp at St. Peter's SSS Nsambya since Sunday, with preparations concluding on Wednesday ahead of the tournament, which runs from Friday to Sunday at Hams Grounds, Nakivubo. Two matches will be played on the opening day after the official ceremony.

"Hosting provides a lot of opportunities for local baseball game brand promotion. As Africa, we have a hosting matrix, and this year the event was meant to be in East Africa, specifically South Sudan, which declined to host, and Uganda took up the opportunity," Ssempa said.

Despite limited infrastructure for Baseball5 in the country, Ssempa expressed confidence in Uganda's readiness to host. "Baseball5 requires a minimum space slightly wider than a basketball court. We have no specified Baseball5 field in Uganda at the moment, though we have two fields for the original Baseball version in Gayaza, Wakiso District, and Nakirembe, Mpigi District," he explained.

He admitted that finance remains the biggest challenge in organising the championship but said partnerships have helped Uganda prepare successfully. "Our biggest challenge is limited finances to have all the necessary logistics in time as required for the championship. However, we have built collaboration with partners to see that this championship is held successfully," he said.

Ssempa highlighted key support from institutions and partners, including St. Peter's SSS Nsambya, which hosted the national team camp by providing accommodation, meals, and training facilities for players from different districts. He also praised volunteer coaches and Ham Grounds Nakivubo for providing the venue, while noting that the government, through the National Council of Sports, officially cleared the event, although no direct funding was provided.

"We have made shirt sales and tickets as part of the fundraising drives for the event, though the response from the public remains very little," he added. Shirts are priced at 60,000 shillings, while tickets range from 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 shillings for VIP access covering the three days.

Ssempa said hosting the qualifiers will boost technical development for players, coaches, and officials. "Tournaments are the highest evaluation matrix for coaches, players, and officials' technical growth. Baseball brand promotion is part of the opportunity that comes with hosting," he said.

He added that Uganda has more experience in Baseball compared to other East African countries, giving them an advantage in the competition. "The team is ready under the stewardship of best coaches, headed by Kabogoza Ibrahim, who also serves as Vice President of Baseball5 on the UBASA Executive Committee," he noted.

Ssempa said qualification for the World Cup would be a major achievement for Uganda and a statement of regional dominance. "The World Cup is the biggest tournament in the world. Our qualification communicates our dominance in the game of Baseball in East Africa and Africa in general," he said.

The event is part of a continental pathway where teams from Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa compete, with two teams from Africa qualifying for the World Cup.

Uganda squad

Kevin Apoko (Panyadoli Self Help SS), Euctence Ssegujja (Ashinaga Uganda), Elvis Muwonge (St. Peter’s SSS), Andrew Opoka (St. Peter’s SSS), Abbel Nabusiima (St. Peter’s SSS), Mesearch Kabonge (Ashinaga Uganda), Wazil Jagwe (Ashinaga Uganda), Laurah Ivy (Panyadoli Self Help SS), Consulate Amviko (Panyadoli Self Help SS), Vanessa Nalukwago (Queens SS Nansana), Jessy Okwang (St. Peter’s SSS), Samuel Mawa (St. Peter’s SSS), Sharon Kamwine (St. Peter’s SSS), Joana Nagudi (St. Peter’s SSS).

Officials

Ibrahim Kabogoza – Head coach, Emmanuel Muggaga – Assistant coach.