GBSF/J-Abs, in collaboration with the Ghana Baseball and Softball Association, organized the maiden edition of the two-day Ghana Koshien Baseball Championship at Labone Senior High School. The competition took place from August 1 to September 1, 2024. Four teams from four regions participated in the competition: Accra, Tema, Eastern, and Central. Team Accra defeated Tema in the final by 12-9 to clinch the trophy. Team Eastern was the second runner-up, and Team Central came fourth.
Joseph Awudi from Team Accra was adjudged the Most Valuable Male in the competition, while Jessica Dorpenyo, also from Team Accra, won the Most Valuable Player Female award. Kojo Leshie from Team Eastern was voted the most disciplined player in the championship.
Team Accra’s coach, Dickson Badu, praised the Ghana Baseball Federation for introducing the sport to his district three years ago. “This is how far God has brought us, and we give thanks to Him and the organizers for giving us the opportunity to exhibit our talents. The sport was introduced in our district three years ago by the Ghana Baseball Federation, and I happened to be one of the Physical Education teachers who attended the workshop. Since then, I’ve taken it upon myself to groom the boys and girls in my school who have the potential in baseball.
When asked about the future of the sport, Badu said, “The future is great if we continue to give them the necessary tools, equipment, and training. These boys and girls will go far.”
The President of the Africa Baseball and Softball Federation, Albert Frimpong, applauded the President of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation, Mr. Ernest Danso, and his team for organizing the event. “I like the dedication and commitment of this administration. The partnership between Japan and Ghana, and most importantly, the Baseballership education, is very good. This kind of activity in the mindset of the players makes them committed, disciplined, and more involved in whatever they do.”
Frimpong was impressed with the performance of the kids who were introduced to the sport just two weeks ago. “Some of the kids were introduced to the game two weeks ago, and look at how they played today. If they get six months of training, it will be wonders for Ghana and the rest of the continent.”
The President of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation, Ernest Danso, was elated to have organized the maiden edition and vowed to create offices in some regions to promote the sport. “As president and a Federation, we are excited about this because it’s the first of its kind, and hopefully, it will become an annual thing. We will soon open offices in Eastern and Central, and the rest of the regions will follow because we are tasked to develop the sport.”
Danso appealed to corporate Ghana to support and partner with them. “We are appealing to corporate Ghana to come support and partner us because, in life, what you build is what you have, and trust me, some of these young players could turn and come work for them.”
The Japan Baseball & Softball Foundation (J-ABS), led by Mr. Shinya Tomonari, expressed excitement about being part of the maiden edition. “We are very happy for the first Koshien tournament in Ghana after 13 years of planning. It is a dream come true, and I’m happy to be part of it. I witnessed many of the players with great sportsmanship, and that is what we want to do through Baseballership. We will continue to nurture young players through Baseballership, and I’m impressed with the officials and players for participating.
