The Foreign Service Journal, March 2021

60 MARCH 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Ms. Robinson spent a week there elaborating on her father’s legacy, as well as sharing her newest book for young readers focused on her dad’s life. She was joined by three retired Major League Baseball players, who worked with the national baseball association to hold clinics for kids throughout Romania. At all events the theme of nonviolence was paramount. Baseball Clinics in Uganda I did not expect to find baseball in Uganda, but there it was. The Ugandan national association was strong, and their national team almost qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. This time we designed the program a little differently. We held clin- ics throughout the country relying on the national association U.S.EMBASSYKAMPALA/CHRISTOPHERLUVEGA Jackie Robinson Day in Uganda in 2019. to teach the basics of the sport, while embassy staff shared Jackie Robinson’s story and the policy of nonviolence. It offered a fun way for young people to learn. The top players from the various clinics held throughout the country were invited to a grand finale on Jackie Robin- son Day in April. The culmi- nating event was held at an athletic boarding school about an hour outside Kampala. The site was chosen because of its facilities, but also because the American philanthropist who funds it had recently started a relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robinson had played for the Brooklyn Dodgers until 1956, and the team then moved to California in 1958 to become the L.A. Dodgers. When we approached the school and the Dodgers officials about their collaboration, their answer was a resounding yes, saying: “We are Jackie’s Team!” At the finale, the youth teams held a tournament followed by an exhibition game between the United States and Uganda. Their Olympic hopeful national team beat our ragtag band, but the day of healthy, friendly competition was well received. The event was a big success. The audience was enthusias- tic. Excellent media coverage was augmented on social media A baseball clinic in Uganda in 2019. U.S.EMBASSYKAMPALA/CHRISTOPHERLUVEGA