Eastern Macabes played a determined game on Sunday to beat Dodowa Marine Stars 9-1 in an exciting U15 baseball final organized by the Ghana Baseball / Softball Federation and played at the Koshien Field, Labone SHS in Accra.
Led by enthusiastic coach Osei Kweku Dickson, the Dodowa Marine Stars were a delight to watch in Jama songs, but met their match against Eastern, who gave them no breathing space and went all out to wallop them. Dodowa, the runners-up, were also declared the most disciplined team to win the fair play award.
Five regional teams from Tema All Stars, Volta, Central, Dodowa and Eastern took part in the exciting Championship, and they all carried something new home. For Eastern, their officials told Yours Truly they really prepared well and promised to train harder to retain their trophy and win more tournaments.
The championship was organized with the support of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), JICA and the Japan African Baseball / Softball Foundation (JABS) as well as other partners and sponsors.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, HE Hiroshi Yoshimoto, who watched all the matches on the final day, congratulated the winners and hailed all other participants, including coaches and players. He wished that the passion for baseball would increase among Ghanaians as there are many opportunities in the sport.
Secretary General / Vice President of the Ghana Baseball Association, Edmund Kwesi Ackom, also commended the teams and regional coordinators whose hard work has resulted in many youth being interested in the game.
Other award winners who thrilled spectators and baseball lovers were best female player, Jacqueline Amponsh of Tema All Stars; best male player, Isaac Mensah of Eastern Macabes as well as Dodowa, who won the most disciplined and fair play awards; and best coach Kofi Frimpong, who was also honored by Shinya Tomonari, President of Japan – Africa Baseball / Softball Foundation.
Present at the event were officials of JICA, JABS, and Ghana Baseball, as well as the media.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
