The American Centre Kampala came alive on Thursday, 30th July, as Cricket Uganda, the Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA), and the U.S. Embassy Kampala converged for “Beyond the Bats,” a joint celebration of 250 years of American independence and the shared path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The three-hour program opened with interactive stations and practical demonstrations tailored for the indoor venue, where young athletes from both federations used soft equipment to showcase their skills side-by-side.
Attendees watched players compare cricket seam grips with curveball baseball grips, align their stances, and execute controlled deliveries, highlighting the common roots linking both bat-and-ball sports.
As the event transitioned into formal discussions on the Olympic roadmap, presenters detailed the historical significance of LA 2028, where baseball returns to the Games for the first time since Tokyo 2020 and cricket makes its second Olympic appearance in 128 years.
With the host nation fielding its own Olympic cricket team, leadership from both UBASA and Cricket Uganda pointed to the global stage as a tangible, inspiring pathway for young Ugandan talent.
Addressing the gathering during the main presentation block, Cricket Uganda Honorary Secretary Denis Musali grounded the conversation in the transformative power of grassroots sport.
Reflecting on community initiatives across the country, Musali explained how cricket provides young people with critical opportunities to navigate severe social challenges.
“A cricket program in Soroti was started by someone who was trying to help girls escape vices in their societies,” Musali said.
“Early marriage is a big problem in Soroti, and some of those girls were able to escape because they were involved in playing the game. I’ve seen the young boys involved in the LA Dodgers Academy – all of them very young players. You just never know where this opportunity takes them. That opportunity can change their lives, change where they come from, and inspire another generation. Sport is a big-time driver of change.”
Musali also issued a direct call to action to school owners and community leaders, reassuring them that financial barriers should not prevent young people from picking up the game.
He pledged Cricket Uganda’s full technical and material backing to any institution willing to embrace the sport.
“As federations, we have the ability to reach out to you, to provide technical support, to provide equipment,” Musali stated. “You don’t have to worry about how expensive this equipment is – as long as you are connected to Cricket Uganda, we can be able to support you. Let’s work together.
“Let’s bring this sport to your communities; let me encourage schools and community leaders to get involved with us. Let’s bring it closer to everyone. You just never know; the next superstar will be coming out of your community.”
The afternoon concluded with an audience exchange and a group photo, reinforcing a shared commitment between the diplomatic and sports communities to open doors, expand access, and prepare Ugandan athletes for the road to LA 2028.
