Softball Forum Opens At Kairaba Beach Hotel

The newly introduced Gambia Softball Association in the country in collaboration with the International Softball Federation on Wednesday at the KairabaBeach hotel opened a two-day African forum on softball.

In her welcoming remarks, the president of the Gambia Softball Association Beatrice Allen said the forum is of fundamental importance since it brought together interested men and women including the press in order to map out ways and means to introduce the game to various parts of the country and expressed hope that it would not only stop in Banjul.

She stressed the need for collaborative efforts in order to help, encourage and promote softball in The Gambia.

Beatrice Allen further described softball as a very interesting game and therefore challenged her colleagues to work-hand-in-glove to help expand the game in all parts of the country, including schools.

Don Porter, President of the International Softball Federation, who chaired the forum, spoke at length on the numerous benefits softball could bring to the development of any country and Gambia being no exception. As a result, he assured Mrs Allen of his federation's support at all times.

Don Porter further seized the opportunity to thank the US Ambassador to The Gambia Barry L. Wells and the Japanese Ambassador to The Gambia Mr Satto for attending the forum.

President Don Poter also recalled the day when Japan defeated America during the Beijing Olympic Games in China and therefore challenged Gambia to emulate Japan in the 2016 Olympic Games.