This is crazy. The 2011 Little League World Series starts August 18th in South Williamsport, PA. 8 US teams and 8 international teams qualify for the tournament. In the LLWS's 65 year history there has been no team to qualify for Africa. But this year the Reverend John Foundation Little League Team from Uganda won the Middle East-Africa Region. However, tragedy struck the team yesterday as the US State Department rejected some their visa applications.
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Map of Uganda |
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Uganda's flag |
Here's a background check on Uganda. It's capital is Kampala, which is also the home of the Rev. John Foundation Team. Uganda has two national languages, english and swahili. There s an estimated 34 million residents living in Uganda. It gained independence from the UK in 1963. It has an area of 236,040 km.
Here is what State Department spokesman Mark Toner said about the situation,"It is a difficult situation, I won't deny it. But you know, these cases are adjudicated by consular officials who look very closely at all the appropriate data, and they make their decisions based on that."
And here is what Stephen Keener, Little League Baseball and Softball President, said, "It is unfortunate, as we were very much looking forward to welcoming the first African team to the Little League Baseball World Series."
No, Steve, it is not unfortunate, it is tragic. The reasoning from the State Department was discrepancies in the Ugandans player's documents. What do you expect. It is hard to find and make these documents since some of their parents and guardians are illiterate and birth certificates are scarce. You can't blame the players. They don't play for money, they play for fun. What should be the 1st African team to play in the LLWS, Uganda was first introduced to baseball 8 years. They don't own any of the equipment. Just let them play.
This is like a cinderella story like never before. I believe LLB&S should fight for this teams right to play and come to the US. But even if they can't, the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series should not have a replacement for the Rev. John Foundation Team. The Uganda team should be the only team to represent the Middle East-Africa Region whether they play or not.
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| These kids from Kampala, Uganda should play in the Little League Baseball World Series |
