Accra, July 4, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama has pledged Government's support towards the development of baseball in the country. The Vice-President, a keen supporter of one of America's most popular sport said baseball has the potential to generate economic opportunities as well as enhance the standard of living of the youth when they engage in the sport.

Alhaji Mahama who said this during a ground-breaking ceremony for two baseball fields at the University of Ghana's Sports Complex on Thursday, noted that the venture will also pave the way for a viable league for the sport to be enjoyed all over the country in the immediate future.

Despite baseball's unpopularity in the country as compared to football and boxing, the Vice-President assured patrons and participants of the sport of Government's support towards the development of the sport throughout the country.

The two fields estimated to cost over 200,000 US dollars is being sponsored by the African Development Foundation (ADF) with the support of some foreign donors.

The facility which has been constructed on a land size of 382,500 square feet will be ready for use after nine months. Henry Pimentel, Project Consultant explained that the construction will last for six months with the remaining three months devoted to grass maturity of the playing fields.

ADF President, George Ntim said the facility, the first of its kind in the country is to create an environment for the youth to be able to compete with those of America, Asia and other keen baseball nations. He expressed optimism that the facility will offer the youth an opportunity to venture into baseball and take the sport the sport as a business, since the minimum annual salary of a baseball player in the United States of America is about 375, 000 US Dollars. The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Kwesi Yankah commended the ADF for selecting the premier university as the citadel for the development of baseball in the country. The out-going U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater, a major supporter of baseball in Ghana also gave assurance of her country's continued support towards baseball development in the country.