Ahead of the first-ever Global Refugee Forum in Geneva from 17-18 December, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) reiterates its commitment to using Baseball Softball to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of refugees around the world.

As a proud member of the UNHCR and International Olympic Committee (IOC) “Sports Coalition”, WBSC has made pledges to; improve access for all refugees to safe and inclusive sporting facilities, increase Baseball Softball and sport-based initiatives for refugees and hosting communities, and promote and facilitate equal access to and participation of refugees in sporting events and competitions.

The WBSC is aware of sports’ unique ability to bring communities together, under the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

Baseball5 has increased WBSC’s capacity to do good around the world. A new fast-paced, low-cost, and accessible discipline, Baseball5 is exploding in popularity everywhere. Games are just 15 minutes long and can be played on any hard surface. All you need is a ball. The urban discipline has allowed the WBSC to bring the skills and the values of Baseball Softball to young people in places where greater accessibility to sport is desperately needed.

Earlier this year, the WBSC teamed up with Peace and Sport to bring Baseball5 to Zaatari, the world’s largest camp for Syrian refugees.

The partnership saw the WBSC run a two-day coaching workshop at the camp in February 2019, with coaches then introducing Baseball5 to many of the 80,000 refugees living in the camp. The WBSC also donated all of the equipment used to run the programme.

Whilst the WBSC is determined to play its role in supporting refugees, the Baseball Softball governing body has also dedicated plenty of efforts to introducing Baseball Softball to other communities affected by conflict.

One such example is in Palestine where WBSC donated starter kits to local coaches who have used the equipment to run local baseball softball leagues for children living in the Gaza strip.

And in 2017 and 2018, the WBSC brought Baseball5 to the Friendship Games in Bujumbura, Burundi. These annual Games have been organised by Peace and Sport in the Great Lakes region of Africa since 2007 which gathers up to 200 children from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, to promote peace through sport.