(Right to left) Khalid Al-Ayoub, Rakan Al-Muzaini, Abdulaziz Al-Ayoub, Caesar, Abdullah Marafi, Bader and Raddi pose for a group photo.

KUWAIT: A three-day Baseball/ Softball Championship tournament kicked off yesterday at Hunting and Equestrian Club, Baseball Ground. More than 200 players from five different countries which include Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the host country, Kuwait, are competing in the 3-day event. The event was organized by the Kuwait Baseball Softball Challenge League, under Kuwaiti Youth Sports.

Abdullah Marafi, Director of Youth Sports said the event showcased the best of the best from categories (by age) 15 Under, 13 Under And 10 Under categories. “There are five countries participating in this tournament. We are happy that everyone is taking the challenge. This is a beautiful sports and it develop not just physical body but also mental - and prepares our kids for teamwork, commitment and camaraderie,” Marafi said.

Kuwaitis are fond of soccer players but not the baseball players however, according to Marafi, baseball and softball is slowly gaining momentum in Kuwait especially in private schools. “I always believe that one day, baseball and softball will be famous in the GCC countries - but the challenge is how to really spread and introduce baseball in the school’s activities. We started in private schools because as you know, it is famous in some private schools. The challenge is to include this sport in public schools,” he said.

By next year, according to the youth director, a campaign to introduce the baseball/softball to Kuwaiti schools will be launched. The awards ceremony will be on the third day of the championship. Trophies and certificate will be given to the winners. This is the second annual Middle East/ North Africa (MENA) classic tourney.

By Ben Garcia