Sharjah opens door to baseball championships

During the meeting, both sides explored avenues of cooperation to promote the sport and organise championships, in light of its significant popularity among Asian communities. The initiative also aims to add a new promotional platform for Sharjah, enhancing its regional and international presence through sports.

A Global Brand with Regional Aspirations

Baseball United was founded in November 2022 and supports 20 globally renowned teams, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. As a recognised international brand, its championships attract millions of viewers around the world—in Asia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Latin America. The organisation is now on its way to launching the first professional league involving teams from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Indian subcontinent.

Foundations for the Game in Sharjah

During the meeting, discussions were held on establishing a dedicated headquarters for the sport and developing baseball fields as a foundation for spreading the game. Plans include organising local competitions and hosting international championships in the future. The two sides also explored initiatives to launch youth academies and school programmes to scout talent, as well as leveraging the global league platform to market Sharjah as a sports, tourism, and educational destination for baseball.

Sharjah’s Competitive Edge

Following the meeting, His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami emphasised that Sharjah possesses the right environment to promote baseball, especially considering its popularity among Asian communities. He pointed out that the sport shares many similarities with cricket—a game that already holds a distinguished position in the Emirate, thanks to its large fan base and the iconic Sharjah Stadium, which hosts international championships. He stressed that incorporating baseball and participating in the Asian league would ensure guaranteed promotion and significant exposure for the emirate.

Optimism for a Fruitful Partnership

The head of the visiting delegation expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of the Council for the warm welcome and the positive outcomes of the meeting. He also conveyed his optimism about the anticipated collaboration between the two sides and the transformative impact this partnership could have on the sport both locally and internationally.