The Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation (GBSF) is aiming to make a splash at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Federation president Ernest Danso shared the federation’s ambitious plans and ongoing preparations in an exclusive interview with Asaase Radio.
Danso outlined that the GBSF began laying the groundwork for their Olympic aspirations in 2023.
“We are hoping to make an appearance when it comes to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028,” Danso said.
“We are preparing towards it; we know we don’t have the resources, but we have started. We started last year with all the preparation.”
A key component of their strategy is the inaugural Koshien Baseball Championship, which will be held at Labone Senior High School from August 31 to September 1.
This event is part of the broader Baseballership Educational Programme, including a partnership with a US baseball team.
Danso elaborated on the programme: “We’re putting together a team from this Koshien and a few others.
We work in various parts of the country; we’re getting the best athletes; we’re getting some few equipment when it comes to the batting cages and multiple things that we need.”
He also mentioned that a US team will visit Ghana in September to finalize a partnership deal to bolster the country’s baseball capabilities.
“Then after this programme, in September, we have a US team also coming into town; we’re gonna sign a partnership deal with them to make sure we achieve this dream regarding the Olympics,” Danso added.
Danso is optimistic about the potential impact of Ghana’s participation in the Olympics. He believes a successful appearance could significantly boost the sport’s profile in Ghana. “We believe if we’re able to make [an] appearance, the name of Ghana will be out there,” Danso emphasized.
“If they see what Ghana is made of when it comes to baseball, they might be interested in coming and establishing academies like the way the [LA] Dodgers of the United States have done in Uganda and Senegal currently; if we get one or two academies here, I’m telling you that’s a game-changer for us.”
The GBSF’s efforts reflect a broader vision of qualifying for the Olympics and fostering baseball’s growth at the grassroots level in Ghana.
