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.