Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Baseball Association (ZBA) has appealed for Government funding stating that without that sort of shot in the arm, the sport code may suffer stunted growth.
The Zimbabwe Baseball Association secretary general Vincent Chaima, said the custodians of the sport code in the country have so far been surviving on donations from Japan and the United States Of America but these resources are not sufficient to cover the basics needed for the sport to grow.
“Our government should support our minor sport codes by putting some of our coaches and resource personnel on their payroll. This will result in our coaches giving all to the development of the game. Also engagement with the international community is crucial so that we export talent at a tender age
“Furthermore, baseball equipment is one big challenge hindering the mass development of the game. Yes we have equipment donations coming through from Japan and America through the friends of Zimbabwe Baseball but it’s not enough, the financial aspect is a serious hindrance. Lack of government and cooperate funding into sport is not helping matters. As a result our sport sustains through volunteers as we do not have finances to put them on a payroll.” Said Vincent Chaima.
He added that, “This makes us face serious problems in hosting provincial games as well as sending our national teams for international assignments. We are grateful to our Japanese friends and the Americans who really try their level best to meet some of our financial demands, but this is not enough. We need home grown solutions to our problems.”
Chaima said baseball can be one of the sport codes that will make the country proud if it receives adequate support.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Baseball Association (ZBA) plans to spearhead the introduction of Baseball5 (B5) and hopefully introduce a Women’s League across the country. The new format of the sport (B5) has been on the programme of development for a while.
“Baseball5 attracts large numbers at a go and is less expensive to conduct. Soon we will be rolling out the plan across all the 10 provinces in the country.” Stated the ZBA secretary general.
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) which is mandated to see to the development of sports codes and recreational activities in the country spokesperson Eltah Nengomasha, said the SRC are currently doing all the required consultations on the matter.
More details to follow.