Baseball5 a huge hit at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)'s urban discipline Baseball5 has been fervently embraced at Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement following its successful introduction six months ago. The WBSC is partnering with the African Higher Education in Emergencies Network (AHEEN) and Olympic Solidarity to run the project, which includes Baseball5 being taught and played in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement.
"We have seen great success through our project in the Azraq Refugee Camp and are pleased that the introduction of Baseball5 to the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement has had a similar effect," commented WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.
Head coach Denis Mitei from Kenya is supported by two Refugee Assistant Coaches - Susan Nadai and Issa Rhamadhani. The Kakuma and Kalobeyey teams recruited 30 players each and train three times a week. The WBSC has supported the activity by providing nutrition, education and equipment - including balls and training material.
Two partner schools support the Saturday education sessions with their facilities. Considering the differences in fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, education programmes have been designed to meet different needs.
On November 13, during the AHEEN's second Kids' Athletics Day in Kalobeyei Sports Complex, the teams organised a Baseball5 demonstration with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The 125 youth enrolled in the AHEEN World Athletics Kids' Athletics Programme attended the event.
The Kakuma and the Kalobeyei teams also played a friendly game on December 6 that highlighted the progress made through daily training.
An end-of-year competition on December 18 concluded the 2024 programme.
The Baseball5 Western Series will be held on February 1 and 2, 2025, at Masinde Muliro University, which is close enough to Kakuma/Kalobeyei to organise a visit.
All photos are by Moris Albert/AHEEN