More Ugandans interested in baseball

By Silvano Kibuuka

THE increase in the number of Ugandan youths attending the Major League Baseball African Elite Camp in South Africa is evidence the game is picking up fast in the country.

This year the organizers have recommended 14 players to participate in the camp at the Hoy Park Sports Complex in Durban, December 5-14, where the Ugandans are going to compete for slots in the Major League Baseball teams in the US and Canada.

This is the third year that Ugandan players will compete in the camp although on all previous occasions, none has succeeded.

But even then, the exposure and experience they get from the camps has been vital.

“This shows improvement of our baseball. The number has been rising. We had six to 10 last year and now we have 14 slots. Participants have come from Lugazi, Kampala, Jinja and Arua,” re-elected chairman of Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBSA) George Mukobe stated.

The MLB African Elite Camp will bring together the very best young players from around Africa to train with top Major League Baseball instructors.

It is during the camp that the instructors and coaches will identify players talented enough to compete for a place at a professional baseball club. MLB coaches from South Africa and UK were in Kampala between September 2-5 and held trials.

The team selected includes: D. Arago, G. Bekunda, J.Byanyima, J. Cairo, G.Drani, J.Droma, J. Esabu, K. Kisalama, S. Majeta, D. Ogen, R. Okello, M. Omeri, P. Opio and T. Opio.