WBSC partners with ANOCA, Olympafrica to promote baseball, softball, Baseball5 on the African continent

CRETE, Greece -- 25 October 2021 -- The
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is partnering with the OlympafricaFoundation and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)to promote baseball and softball in Africa. The three organisations today signedan MOU at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) GeneralAssembly in Crete, Greece.

According to the MOU, the three organisations will collaborate to promote sports and sports education in general in Africa, and the sports of baseball and softball in particular, through initiatives such as the introduction of Baseball5 as a development tool and competitive discipline across the continent.

It also includes the encouragement ofsocial, economic and personal development through sport, especially for youngerathletes; the promotion of the values and ideals of the Olympic movement; andthe promotion of peace through common sports interests, activities andcooperation.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “This is a very important day for our sport in Africa. Thedevelopment of baseball, softball and Baseball5 around theworld, engaging new and young audiences as well as using our sport asa tool for sustainable development are key parts of our strategicgoals and this agreement with Olympafrica and ANOCA will help accordingly byopening a wide range of opportunities for baseball and softball fans acrossAfrica, especially in the build up towards Baseball5’s debut at the Dakar 2026Youth Olympic Games and the African Beach Games.”

ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf said: “We’re looking forwardto working together with the WBSC and Olympafrica to promote the wonderfulbenefits of sport to the youth of Africa, especially with such a dynamic,versatile and popular sport as baseball, softball and Baseball5.”

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Olympafrica CEO Alassane Diack said: “The
Olympafrica Family is happy to announce the signing of an agreement with the WBSC.
Africa has many talented youths that will definitely perform very well inbaseball, especially the innovative Baseball5, which will allow our kids toshow their athletic abilities. Millions of African kids will definitely enjoythe game. See you in 2026 where we will definitely be among the top teams.”

The joint initiative will be launched across five Olympafrica training centers, a number that could be increased after the first year of implementation. The WBSC will provide all necessary equipment and coaching training to Olympafrica centers for the development of Baseball5.