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American baseball inspires Manipur youth |
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Tuesday, 29 April 2008 |
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Imphal, Apr 28 (ANI): The American baseball is getting increasingly popular in Manipur with sports enthusiasts in the state taking keen interests in the game.
The Manipuri youth's active participation in the game has led to the tournaments being organised at the state level.
After the establishment of First Pitch: the US - Manipur Baseball Project, a New York and Imphal-based organization - the players are encouraged to look beyond the conventional stream.
The organisation aims to develop and upgrade the centre for baseball along with other related facilities.
"I like this game and lots of my juniors also like the game. There has been a lot of encouragement due to the funding by the American organisation. This will certainly help in our progress," said Nongthang, a player.
Muriel Peters, Chairman of the First Pitch expressed her happiness at the increasing popularity of the game while lauding the players for their unbeatable passion for the sport.
"I think they play wonderfully. I am just happy to see that baseball is getting more popular," said Muriel Peters, Chairman, First Pitch, New York.
Moreover, the management of the First Pitch believes that the Manipuri youth have tremendous caliber, which can open up plethora of opportunities for them.
"We have the coaching camps said to be the best in Asia in our level, not comparing to Japan of course, but in south east Asia and south Asia. We have the most amazing success, the best of every kind, the Major Baseball League ever experienced," said L.
Somi Roy, Executive Director, First Pitch.
The sports has started to gain momentum in the state is evident from the recently organised State Level Tournament under First Pitch, which witnessed the participation from total 12 teams including four teams of women players.
Baseball, although of American origin, has inspired sports enthusiasts all over the world.
The sport is very popular in North America, Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia. (ANI) |
