Mehta proud of Uganda''s baseball youngsters

By Mpalanyi Ssentongo and Charles Mutebi

Barack Obama may have hailed Uganda’s Mehta Little League baseball team for their inspiring participation in the Little League World Series in the USA last month.

But the praises of the American president are not the most important this crop of talented youngsters have received.

That is because Saturday at Lugazi, Mahendra Mehta officially joined the mass choir singing this team’s praises. And obviously, his voice carries the most weight.

This is, after all, the Mehta Little League baseball team and Mahendra is the chairman Mehta Group of Companies.

“You made Africa, Uganda and Mehta Group of Companies proud,” said Mehta at the team’s welcome party held at Mehta’s Headquarters.

“We have supported Cricket, woodball, golf and of late baseball and will continue to do so as a gesture of giving back to the community through sports.”

The players received medals from the elderly Mehta, who was joined in attendance by his wife Suni, company director Hemnabh Khatau, Lugazi deputy Mayor Rose Matama, the players’ parents and teachers.

Mehta and Co. were overwhelmed on receiving magazines published in the USA with adoring stories about the Ugandan team and the wealthy chairman requested the local press to follow suit by covering the fast growing sport.

One by one, the players expressed their willingness to continue working hard to boost their dreams of joining senior teams and turning professional.

The Mehta Little League baseball team represented Africa and the Middle East in the World Series and won the sportsmanship trophy, with Japan winning the title.

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Mehta  Group of Companies chairman Mahendra Mehta (wearing spects) and the Director Hemnabh Khatau display magazines from the international press with information on the Little League Baseball Team's performance in the recently concluded World Baseball Series held in the US. PHOTO/Mpanlanyi Ssentongo

Director Hemnabh Khatau congratulates one of the young baseball players that was part of the team that played in the US. PHOTO/Mpalanyi Ssentongo

It was all smiles for the youngsters as they butchered through their cake at their warm welcome party held at Mehta premises in  Lugazi . PHOTO/Mpalanyi Ssentongo

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The Uganda Team boys strategize during a game at the World Baseball Series held in the US