Teams aim for growth and glory at WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024
The WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 is set to be an incredible event with 12 teams set to compete in Hong Kong for the coveted title of the second Baseball5 World Champion. The world's top Baseball5 teams will go head to head from 7 to 12 October, with games taking place at the spectacular downtown setting of Central Harbourfront Event Space.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, which wasstaged at the competition site with the impressive Hong Kong skyscrapers as thebackdrop, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari was brimming with excitement as hehighlighted the increasing global popularity of Baseball5. "This event istruly becoming a global spectacle! Baseball5's growth is becoming more and moreattractive, and the decision to include it in the Youth Olympics shows thebright future that lies ahead. The sport is spreading to all corners of theworld, with new fans in every corner, including Africa and Bhutan!
He also emphasised the importance of the participants.
"This week, all eyes will be on you, the players, who are the real starsof the show and ambassadors of our amazing sport."
Andrew Fan, President of the Baseball Association of HongKong, China, could barely contain his excitement at the prospect of hosting theevent. "It's a tremendous honour to be holding the World Cup during the75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China," Fan said, his voicebrimming with excitement. "Baseball5 is absolutely perfect for Hong Kong,a vibrant, densely populated international metropolis. We really hope thistournament will be the start of something big! We're excited to see Baseball5take off in local schools and beyond.
Cuba, the impressive defending champions ranked No. 2 in theworld, come into the tournament as the team to beat with manager Pablo TerryAlvarez keen to set out their objectives. "Our fundamental goal is toretain the title we won in Mexico," Alvarez said, his eyes alight withdetermination. "We're ready and raring to go! Our goal is to make itthrough the first round without losing a single game, so we're in a greatposition for the Super Round."
World No. 5 Japan, who finished as runners-up in 2022, arealso aiming high and hoping to take the title! "Since we lost to Cuba inthe last tournament, our target this time is to beat them and take thechampionship," said head coach Kenta Wakamatsu.
World No. 1 Chinese Taipei are also fired up and ready to go. "We kept our basic strategy, but we've strengthened both our defence and offence," said manager Lin Po-Yu. "Our goal is to win the whole thing!"
Mexico coach Orlando Valle Alvarez was also optimistic onhis team’s chances as he looked for improvement on Mexico’s fifth place finishtwo years ago, especially with his side include three players from last year’s bronzemedal performance at the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup. "Before the firstWorld Cup, we were new to the sport, but we've come a long way since then,"he said. "Now, we have a stronger and more experienced team, and we areconfident that our preparation will show in our performance."
Hong Kong, China coach Sergio Perez Echevarria was brimmingwith excitement as he spoke about the significance of competing at home.
"Our goal is to perform better than last time," he said with a smile.“The competition is stronger than ever and the level of play is getting betterand better every year. We are here with high hopes and raring to go."
Coach of world No. 3 Tunisia Sofien Riahi was also confidenton improving on his side’s sixth place finish at Mexico 2022, emphasising histeam's competitive spirit, "Of course, if we are here, we play to bechampions." Baseball5 in Tunisia is booming- We're thrilled to be part ofthis incredible journey.
South Africa coach America Juma spoke about his team'sprogress with great enthusiasm. After finishing seventh in 2022, South Africais now rankled 6th in the world. "We're really excited for the tournament.
We expect it to be very competitive because many teams have improved since welast met them in Mexico in 2022. Every team has gone back to the drawing boardto refine their tactics, and we're in for a treat in this edition!"
Stephen Jerome Lesfargues, the coach of France, is lookingfor significant improvement on the world No. 4’s ninth-place-finish two yearsago, especially considering France’s effort at last year’s WBSC Youth Baseball5World Cup where they finished second to Cuba. "We're aiming high. Our goalis to reach the Super Round and, if possible, the final,” said Lesfargues, whoteam has four players from WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup and two from Mexico2022. “We've worked hard since the last edition, and we're absolutelydetermined to give it our all to win this championship!"
Lithuania coach Arvydas Birbalas added, "Our main goalis to finish in the top six, and we're going to give it our all to make thathappen. We're aiming high and we'd love to finish in the top six."
Coach of debutants Australia, Adrian Medina Scull, was hopingto build on leading his country to 12th place at the WBSC Youth Baseball5 WorldCup 2023. "We're here to promote this great and inclusive sport worldwide.
Team Australia is here to compete, to grow the sport, and to make our mark onthe global stage."
China's manager, Fan Xiaodong, was equally excited as hediscussed their preparation: "Since our success at the Asia Cup, we'vebeen training hard for this World Cup. Our goal is to show our progress and aimfor a medal."