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JICA Volunteer Program

The Opening Ceremony of Baseball Knockout Championship 2021

The national-level baseball tournament, which had been postponed for a long time due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, was held for the first time in almost two years!

The tournament was held in the only dedicated baseball ground in Sri Lanka, which was constructed in 2012 with The Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka and donations from JICA.

It was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next year (2022).

PhotoOpening Ceremony

PhotoCommemorative photo


Twelve strong teams from all over Sri Lanka participated in this baseball tournament, of which the opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Sakamoto, DG of the South Asia Department in JICA HQ, and Mr. Yamada, Chief Representative of the JICA Sri Lanka Office.

The first pitch was thrown by the pitcher, Mr. Sakamoto, which drew applause from the audience, making it a grand ceremony!

PhotoFirst pitch with Mr. Sakamoto


Mr. Manoj Fernando from the Sri Lanka Amateur Baseball / Softball Association, who was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays with Rosette for his contribution to friendship and goodwill between Japan and Sri Lanka through baseball was also present at the event. Mr. Sakamoto also gave a congratulatory comment on behalf of JICA.

PhotoMr. Sakamoto and Mr. Manoj (who was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun)


Sri Lankan Baseball has a long history with Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), where a total of 21 JOCV members had been dispatched since 2002, and the support provided by Japanese Baseball volunteers as coaches and mentors to help Sri Lanka win the West Asia Cup in 2019 is one of the greatest achievements of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). Currently, Mr. Kodama is volunteering as a supporting coaching staff for the national team. Also as an instructor, he is supporting club teams, and schools.

Next year is the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sri Lanka and we will continue to strengthen our ties with JOCV to deepen our friendship through baseball.

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