World Refugee Day: WBSC reaffirms commitment to positively impacting lives of refugees worldwide
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) marks World Refugee Day by reaffirming its commitment to leveraging Baseball5, as well as Baseball and Softball, to shape a better future for refugees globally. This includes promoting inclusion, providing support and ensuring access to sport for everyone, regardless of their background.
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<p>To mark <a href="https://www.unhcr.org/events/world-refugee-day-2024?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyVD6yH9hVpUGsc-xdVrfUnWi1YjkHt5SjtVuIWvDs4ZxHYtRGDHcKMaAtQ3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">World Refugee Day</a> on 20 June, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has reiterated its commitment to providing hope and uniting communities, particularly through the integration of Baseball5 into the Azraq and Souf Refugee Camps and beyond. </p>
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<p>Baseball5 has
proven to be a key vehicle in helping the WBSC positively impact the lives of
refugees, promoting integration and inclusion. Accessibility is one of the key
reasons behind the creation of Baseball5, which only requires a ball to play
and is a youth-focused, inclusive game that anyone can #playeverywhere.</p>
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<p>In 2023, the
WBSC introduced the sport to the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan, offering
displaced individuals both hope and opportunity. Last year, the WBSC also
inaugurated a new Baseball5 field in the Azraq Camp, where qualified coaches
conduct weekly training sessions with displaced children, and games against
other local teams are organised.</p>
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<p>Plans are also well
underway for a Baseball5 Refugee Team to compete at the Youth Olympic Games
Dakar 2026, alongside various opportunities for the team to participate in
training camps and tournaments outside of Jordan.</p>
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<p>Having celebrated its one-year anniversary at the beginning of this year, the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/baseball5-project-one-year-anniversary-celebrated-at-azraq-refugee-camp-in-jordan">Azraq Baseball5 Refugee project</a> continues to have a meaningful impact on the lives of many young refugees and their families.</p>
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<p>The WBSC is also
a proud member of the UNHCR and International Olympic Committee (IOC) “Sports
Coalition.” Through its work in Jordan, the WBSC is actively fulfilling its
pledge by promoting and ensuring access for refugees to safe and inclusive
sporting facilities. </p>
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<p>Additionally, the WBSC created the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-legacy-club">Legacy Club</a> in 2023, enabling an increase in efforts and expanding support for Baseball5 activities in the Souf Camp with the help of Maher's Foundation, home to a large number of Palestinian refugees.</p>
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<p>WBSC President
Riccardo Fraccari said: </p>
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<p>“Sport has the
power to transcend barriers and bring hope where it is most needed. On World
Refugee Day, we at the WBSC are proud to harness the accessibility of Baseball5
to provide hope and opportunity. These efforts are about building communities,
fostering inclusion and positively impacting the lives of refugees through
sport. </p>
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<p>“As we move
forward, our commitment remains steadfast - to ensure that everyone, no matter
where they come from, has the chance to engage, participate and thrive through
our sport.”</p>
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