07/09/2026
JICA VOLUNTEER DIARY VOL. 44
⚾Road to Koshien Baseball Tournament in Ghana #3
【Cape Coast | Girls Leading the Way!】
Hello everyone!
My name is Yamash*ta, and I am a short-term JICA Volunteer.
We are currently in Cape Coast, a historic city best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cape Coast Castle.
Here, we are supporting a baseball team called the "Ancient Giants," made up of children from two local schools.
The team's slogan is "Building Warriors."
It reflects our hope of developing young people who care for one another, think for themselves, and have the courage to take on new challenges.
1One unique feature of this team is that nearly half of the players are girls. The team also includes both experienced players and complete beginners.
When our activities first began, there was a sense of hesitation among the children. Differences in schools, gender, and baseball experience seemed to create some distance between them. However, after just one week, we have already seen remarkable growth.
Through playing catch, organizing equipment together, and working side by side to clean the field, the players have gradually built teamwork and trust. Today, they encourage one another, interact naturally regardless of gender, and practice together as one team.
One of the most inspiring aspects of our activities has been the leadership shown by the girls. They actively encourage their teammates during practice and play an important role in bringing the team together. Through repeated fundamental training, the players have also made impressive progress in their baseball skills.
Last year, the Ancient Giants received the Baseballership Award at the Ghana Koshien Tournament. However, the team is aiming even higher this year.
After last year's disappointing runner-up finish, this united team has only one goal in mind:
Winning the Ghana Koshien Championship
Please support the growth, determination, and journey of the Ancient Giants as they continue their challenge toward the Ghana Koshien Tournament!