Accra, June 24, GNA - The Ghana Baseball and Softball

Association (GHABSA) has drawn a Five-Year Development Project

aimed at generating a nationwide patronage for the discipline as well

as make the nation a continental leader in the sport by 2014. Under the project, GHABSA will introduce baseball and softball in

first and second cycle institutions through partnership with the

United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Coaching clinics will also be organized for Physical Education

teachers in schools to train more coaches in a bid to popularize the

two sports in the country. The Project also makes provision for the training of umpires and

scorers to cater for the technical demands of the sport with the

construction of a stadium at the University of Ghana, Legon as an

added venture. Rev. Albert Seth Ocran, Chairman of GHABSA who presented

the document to the National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday said

they hope to make Baseball and Softball develop out at the same par

with other popular sporting disciplines such as football and boxing in

the country. He said the country abounds in a lot of talents in the two sporting

disciplines and all effort must therefore be made to tap such talents

for the benefit of the nation. Rev. Ocran said plans have been put in place to get the active

participation of the media in the Project, adding that media personnel

will be invited to attend coaching clinics and seminars for umpires

and scorers. This, he said, will ensure accurate reportage on all Baseball and

Softball competitions. Rev. Ocran said the Association, as part of its Five year

Development programme will also confer honours on George Bush,

President of the United States of America (USA), Alhaji Aliu

Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and Pamela

Bridgewater, former Ambassador of the USA to Ghana as Life

Patrons for Baseball and Softball following their contributions to the

development of the two disciplines in Ghana. He said Bridgewater will be honoured on July 3rd 2008 during a

sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a Baseball Stadium at

the University of Ghana, Legon. Mr Hamid Issaka, Public Relations Officer of the NSC assured

GHABSA that the necessary support will be given to support the

goals of Association to ensure its success. He called on the media to assist the Council and the Association

to implement the Plan, which he said will help expand sports in the

country.