Japan pledges aid to Indonesian baseball

Japan pledges aid to Indonesian baseball

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Japan-based World Baseball Academy (WBA) has pledged "its
long-term" commitment to help promote the development of baseball
in Indonesia.

The commitment was reflected in the signing of a memorandum of
understanding by WBA and the National Sports Council (KONI) here
on Thursday.

"We are enthusiastic about promoting baseball in Indonesia. We
are ready to teach and train youth and bring them to the world
class stage," Shinichi Eto, WBA chairman, said through an
interpreter.

KONI was represented by chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar.

Eto, who led a seven-man team to Indonesia, said the baseball
academy was ready to help not only in the form of technical
assistance, but also with equipment and the establishment of a
20,000 person capacity stadium.

"The partnership will also enable Indonesia to send young
players to participate in an outing camp in Japan. This is a
long-term commitment," said the former baseball star.

Eto did not disclose the cash value allocated in their scheme,
saying that he would need to discuss the issue with the baseball
authority in Japan.

"We are running short of time. We want to do it as quickly as
possible," he said.

The 65-year-old Eto appeared to be emotional in his Indonesian
baseball commitment, saying:" It is my dream to devote my
energies to Indonesian baseball. I will pursue everything to
realize my dream."

Meanwhile, Harry A. Trisnadi, vice chairman of the Indonesian
Amateur Baseball and Softball Federation (Perbasasi) hoped that
the Japanese assistance would aim especially at establishing
baseball fields in a number of towns and cities.

With the baseball clubs being concentrated in Java, Sumatra
and Kalimantan, he said that he was eager for more cities outside
the three big islands to respond.

"We also hope that they (WBA) will realize immediately their
promises to help us with equipment," Harry told The Jakarta Post
later on in the day.

Indonesia is currently ranked fifth in Asia behind Japan,
South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Philippines.