The Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation took a significant step forward in promoting baseball in Ghana with the launch of the country’s first National Baseball League at Koshen Park, Labone SHS in Accra, on June 28.
The event marks a new era in Ghanaian baseball, with the league aiming to provide a platform for talent discovery, growth, and competition.
Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, expressed his excitement about the launch, highlighting the positive impact of sports on young people.
“I am excited to be here because anytime I get an opportunity to be where young people are doing sports, I get excited,” he said. “Sports have the power to make these young people better human beings for themselves, for their families, and for the country.”
Akpokavie emphasized the importance of sports in shaping the country’s future, encouraging young athletes to strive for excellence, respect, and friendship.
“It teaches them dedication, hard work, teamwork, certain things that you cannot get if you don’t do sports,” he said. “So, I encourage you young people to continue to do sports. Because you have lifelong skills when you get out of sports, which will help you in life.”
The GOC President urged the athletes to always move along with the Ghana Olympic Committee values, which include excellence, respect, and friendship.
“Excellence: because we believe that as an athlete, you must be the best of the best,” he said. “You must work hard, be dedicated to what you are doing, your training and everything, so that you can be the best. So that when you go to the classroom as well, you do the same. When you go to the community, you do the same. You can be the best of the best.”
Akpokavie also emphasized the importance of respect, saying, “Respect your body, so that you don’t take drugs that will harm your body. Respect your body, so that you don’t get involved in rivalry, cheating, all kinds of things that will harm you and your colleagues.”
He added that friendship is also a crucial value, saying, “We are all one people, one destiny. No matter your gender, color, tribe, whatever, we are one people with one team.”
Ernest Danso, President of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Association, welcomed participants to the historic occasion, describing it as a celebration of resilience and progress.
“Today, with the launch of the Ghana National Baseball League, we take a giant leap forward,” he said. “This league is not about competition; it is a platform for talent discovery, a channel for growth, and a statement that Ghana is ready to take its place on the continental and global stage.”
Danso praised the coaches, volunteers, and athletes for their dedication throughout the challenging moments.
“We believed in the values that baseball teaches, teamwork, discipline, patience and opportunity,” he said. “We are now building a sustainable ecosystem. One that will only raise the level of play but also attract investment, increase media interest and open doors for educational and athletic advancement of our youth.”
The President of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Association outlined the association’s bold vision for the future, including expanding the league to include youth, women, and school divisions, qualifying for and competing in international tournaments, and using baseball to inspire positive change in communities.
“Let’s move forward as one team, one vision, one mission,” he said. “Let us raise the flag of Ghana high, not just in victory, but in how we inspire and how we lead and how we build.”
