The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is pleased to announce that 10 young refugee athletes from Azraq Camp in Jordan will be in the French capital, Paris from August 8-12 to experience the magic of an Olympic city and participate in a demonstration event at Club France.
A Baseball5 field will be installed at Parc de la Villette in Paris on August 10 and 11, to present the mixed, dynamic and urban discipline of the WBSC. With a need for minimalist equipment, Baseball5 is easy to learn, accessible, inclusive and fun for all.
The Azraq Refugee Baseball5 team will participate in a showcase game with the French national team during the event. The project has received support from the WBSC, the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Foundation for Refugees, the French National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the French Baseball and Softball Federation.
“Despite the challenges in securing travel permits for the team, we are delighted that everything went well to organise this very special trip for these young refugee athletes and give them the opportunity to take part in this exhibition meet and experience the Olympic Games,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.
“This unique opportunity to experience the Games would not have been possible without the support of NOC President David Lappartient and the French authorities. The WBSC is very grateful for this fruitful cooperation.
“Sport has this unique ability to foster unity and bring joy across borders, despite difficult circumstances. We hope that the athletes will have a memorable time and that this event will promote Baseball5 among local and passing visitors to Paris.”
For many of these young refugees, this will be their first trip outside the Middle East and their first Olympic experience. It will serve as an important precursor to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, where Baseball5 will make its Olympic debut and where the WBSC is looking to field a refugee team. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
The refugee team will consist of five girls and five boys aged 13 to 16 who will be joined by manager Amjed Alatoom, assistant coach Reem Hadroos – who dreams of becoming the first female coach from Camp Azraq to coach at the YOG – and team manager Khaled Alkhaled.
An Olympic city in the middle of the Games will offer an extraordinary experience and a unique opportunity for these young people to immerse themselves in the Olympic spirit and the vibrant atmosphere of Paris.
In addition to exhibition matches at Club France, the team will also have the opportunity to visit the city’s iconic venues and the electric Champions Park. They will also meet members of the Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team to learn more about their journey to the Olympic Games.
Baseball5, whose second World Cup will be held from 7-12 October in Hong Kong, China, is an Olympic sport and a popular addition to school curricula around the world, as well as a tool that the WBSC uses for social development. The sport was introduced to the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan in January 2023 and has been supported by the WBSC Legacy Club since April 2023. It has provided nearly 100 young people with an outlet for their energy and talent, fostering unity and hope despite difficult circumstances.
2024-08-08 19:37:05
#Club #France #Refugee #Baseball5 #Project #Shine #Paris #Olympics #World #Baseball #Softball #Confederation
Related