GBSF putting in the building blocks to achieve Olympic dream

The president of the Ghana Baseball and Softball Federation (GBSF), Ernest Danso, back in August 2024 outlined an ambitious goal to qualify Ghana for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 

Despite the nation’s current absence from the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) rankings, Danso remains optimistic about the future of the sport in Ghana.

In an exclusive interview with asaaseradio.com on 10 August 2024, Danso admitted that the road to Olympic qualification will not be easy. 

Ghana lags behind other African nations such as South Africa (31st), Uganda (46th), Kenya (63rd), and Tanzania (77th) in the WBSC standings. 

However, recent performances by Ghana’s national baseball team, the Rising Stars, offer hope that the country can soon make its mark on the global stage.

A notable performance came just days after Danso’s interview, when Ghana secured second place at the Western Regional Baseball5 Championship. 

Although the team narrowly missed retaining their title, they displayed commendable resilience in matches against Benin and Nigeria. 

Their final against Tunisia, however, was marred by controversial umpiring decisions, but the Rising Stars’ spirit remained undaunted.

Off the field, the GBSF has invested significantly in upgrading its facilities. The Koshien Field in Labone, Accra, has seen extensive renovations, including the installation of a new net, thatched dugouts, modern washroom facilities, and a 24-hour security post. 

This infrastructure development is aimed at better preparing the Rising Stars for future high-stakes matches.

In September 2024, Ghana hosted the inaugural Koshien Baseball Championship, which saw the Rising Stars take on Japan’s Keio University Baseball Club, winners of the 2023 Tokyo Big6 Baseball League. 

While the Rising Stars suffered a heavy 7-19 defeat, the tournament offered a valuable learning experience, as teams from Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central regions also competed.

In a bid to develop grassroots talent, the GBSF, in partnership with Global Sports Partners (GSP), launched a four-day coaching clinic on 9 September 2024. 

The initiative aims to train coaches at all levels, laying a strong foundation for the long-term growth of baseball in the country.

Ghana’s Olympic aspirations remain a daunting challenge, but the GBSF is undeterred. 

With continuous effort and development both on and off the pitch, Danso and his federation are steadily laying the groundwork for the nation’s potential debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

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