U.S. Embassy, Cricket Uganda and UBASA unite to inspire youth ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

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‎The U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Cricket Uganda and the Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA) have strengthened their partnership through the “Beyond the Bats” initiative, a programme designed to celebrate 250 years of American independence while inspiring Uganda’s next generation of athletes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
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‎Held at the American Centre Kampala on July 30, the three-hour event brought together young cricket and baseball players, sports administrators, diplomats and community leaders to highlight the shared heritage of the two bat-and-ball sports and the opportunities their return to the Olympic stage presents.
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‎The programme opened with interactive demonstrations that transformed the indoor venue into a learning space where participants explored the technical similarities between cricket and baseball. Young athletes showcased batting, bowling and throwing techniques using soft equipment, allowing attendees to compare cricket seam grips with baseball curveball grips, examine batting stances and witness the skills that connect the two sports despite their different formats.
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Discussions then shifted to the significance of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where baseball will return to the Olympic programme after its appearance at Tokyo 2020, while cricket is set to make only its second Olympic appearance in 128 years. With the United States expected to field its own cricket team as hosts, officials from both Cricket Uganda and UBASA described the Games as a realistic pathway for talented Ugandan athletes to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
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‎Cricket Uganda Honorary Secretary Denis Musali used the occasion to emphasise the transformative role of grassroots sport in communities across Uganda. Drawing on experiences from development programmes around the country, Musali highlighted how cricket has become a powerful tool for addressing social challenges and creating life-changing opportunities for young people.
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‎He cited a cricket initiative in Soroti that was established to help girls escape harmful practices such as early marriage, noting that participation in sport had enabled many young girls to pursue different futures. Musali also referenced the LA Dodgers Academy, where young baseball players are developing their talents, saying such opportunities have the potential to transform lives and inspire future generations.
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‎”Sport is a big-time driver of change,” Musali said, stressing that involvement in organised sport can reshape communities while opening doors for young athletes to pursue education, competition and personal development.
‎Musali also appealed to school owners, teachers and community leaders to introduce cricket programmes in their institutions, assuring them that the cost of equipment should not be a barrier. He pledged Cricket Uganda’s commitment to providing technical expertise, coaching support and playing equipment to schools and communities willing to embrace the sport.
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‎”As federations, we have the ability to reach out to you, to provide technical support and to provide equipment,” Musali said. “You don’t have to worry about how expensive this equipment is. As long as you are connected to Cricket Uganda, we can support you. Let’s work together. Let’s bring this sport to your communities and closer to everyone. You just never know, the next superstar could come from your community.”
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‎The event concluded with an interactive audience session and a group photograph, symbolising the growing partnership between the U.S. Embassy, Cricket Uganda and UBASA.