[Editor’s note: the article below is by a friend of the ‘boot named Meghan Spencer – on behalf of our team, Meghan, I thank you for this interesting and very community-minded contribution].
“Nobody wants us, because we don’t have. People want somebody who has something.”
You may have heard recently about a local woman’s fundraising efforts to send a local baseball team of 11 and 12 year olds to Uganda.
This August, Uganda should have been the first African team to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Two weeks before departure, the players’ Visa requests were denied without explanation. The Canadian champions from Langley would have to be their first opponent.
Since learning of the Ugandan team’s story, Vancouverite Ruth Hoffman has been working with Right to Play raising funds to hold The Pearl of Africa Series: Canada-Uganda Challenge. This January, the Langley Little Leaguers will travel to Uganda to play ‘the game that should have been’. More than just a baseball game, this will be an opportunity to build local and international communities. In the month since its inception, teams and organizations from Canada, the USA, South America and Europe have taken on the cause.
Locally, the Vancouver Supports Canada-Uganda Baseball Challenge is holding four fundraising events at Hillcrest Community Centre on November 20 and 27, December 10 and 11. Players and coaches will hold a skills camp for youth ages 5-12 and interested adults. Whether new to the game or looking to get ready for next season, all abilities are welcome.
Youth sports live and die by community involvement. The Canada-Uganda Baseball Challenge is no exception. Let’s help take them out to the ballgame.
—-
If you would like to learn more about the event, please visit our website: Vancouver Supports Canada-Uganda Baseball Challenge. For inquiries about volunteering or sponsorship, please contact our organizing team at meghancs@gmail.com or elaine.decker@shaw.ca
For more information or to donate to the challenge, visit: Right to Play
—