On 22nd June 2022, the President of the Japan-Africa Baseball & Softball Foundation (J-ABS), Mr. Shinya Tomonari paid a courtesy visit on H.E. Ambassador Baraka H. Luvanda at the Chancery. The purpose of the visit was to brief Ambassador Luvanda on the J-ABS project in Africa in general and for Tanzania in particular. Mr. Tomonari also used the opportunity to brief on the upcoming Tanzania-Koshien Tournament to be held in December 2022 in Dar es Salaam. Ambassador Luvanda was accompanied by Embassy officers, namely, Mr. Greyson Ishengoma, Ms. Edna Chuku and Mr. Hosea Chikolongo, in discussions with Mr. Tomonari.
In his presentation, Mr. Tomonari gave a brief introduction regarding J-ABS highlighting that it is a non - governmental and non-profit organization established in Japan in December 2019, formerly known as “Association for Friends of African Baseball - AFAB” from 2003 - 2020. Its aim is to promote and develop baseball and softball for the African youth through Japanese baseball and softball style. The organization is currently active in collaboration with several baseball/softball federations in: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan.
He also highlighted that J-ABS project has various programmes which include promote and develop baseballership education in African schools. He further informed that Tanzania being the birthplace of the “Africa 55 Koshien Project”, whose vision is to spread the results of the project throughout the continent in the next 25 years. He also informed that Japanese–style baseball was first introduced in Tanzania when he visited the country for the first time in 2012 as the Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Tanzania Office. Following its successful inauguration in Tanzania, the Tanzania Baseball and Softball Association (TaBSA) was subsequently established in January 2014.
Mr. Tomonari further unveiled that the first phase of the J-ABS project begun in Dar es Salaam in 2014 after the formulation of TaBSA whereby the first Tanzania – Koshien Tournament was staged in February 2014 in Dar es Salaam. This year the tournament will be held in December, marking the 10th Anniversary of the Tanzania - Koshien Tournament. He further informed the meeting that the name “Koshien” was conceived from the Japan - Koshien National Championship, which is a very famous sports tournament in Japan, also one that is becoming popular all over the world.
In his response, Ambassador Luvanda thanked Mr. Tomonari for his good presentation and the love he has for Tanzania, making it the source of the Japanese style baseball game in Africa. He also expressed his gratitude to J-ABS for continuing to support Tanzania through TaBSA in promoting baseball in the country; and for its plans to expand across Africa.
Mr. Tomonari appreciated for the warm reception and discussion; and expressed his pleasure on finding Ambassador Luvanda’s passion for the sports. He extended his invitation to Ambassador Luvanda and Embassy staff to attend one of the upcoming Japanese high school baseball games for familiarization.