The World Baseball Softball Confederation
(WBSC) successfully completed its second Baseball5 project at the Kakuma
Refugee Camp, highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote community integration
and physical activity through sport.
This follows the initial Baseball5 initiative, which saw mixed-gender teams of
refugees, volunteers, and local community members participating in friendly
Baseball5 games to celebrate World Refugee Day.
The latest Baseball5 public viewing event took place at Kakuma 1 within
the camp on Saturday, 13 July. The event gathered 53 children from Sudanese,
Congolese, Ethiopian and Somali communities, along with five volunteer facilitators. The aim was to provide a fun and educational experience through
Baseball5, helping to build a sense of community among the participants.
The Kakuma Refugee Camp, located in north-western Kenya, has been a
significant haven since its establishment in 1992, currently hosting nearly
290,000 refugees. Events like these are crucial in providing the camp's
residents with opportunities for physical activity, education, and community
building.
The WBSC's efforts at Kakuma are part of a broader commitment to support refugee athletes and provide them with platforms to showcase their talent.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games marked the first participation of a refugee team in Olympic history, with 10 athletes, including five from Kakuma. Building on this legacy, plans are underway for a Baseball5 Refugee Team to compete at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, where Baseball5 will make its Olympic debut.
