Hideki Matsui participates in baseball promotion activities in Africa for the first time
He sends messages of support for the 9th Tanzania Koshien Tournament.

The Japan African Baseball and Softball Promotion Foundation (J-ABS, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shinya Tomonari) held the 9th Tanzania Koshien Tournament (men's baseball and women's softball) over four days from December 12th to 15th, 2021, as part of the "Africa 55 Koshien Project." This marked Hideki Matsui's first participation in the project since becoming a J-ABS Executive Dream Partner in November.

Twelve teams and over 200 players from all over Tanzania gathered at the "Dar es Salaam Koshien Stadium," which was built with Japanese support. A life-size standee banner of Matsui was set up on the field, and when Representative Tomonari introduced Matsui at the opening ceremony as "a respected superstar player who was full of sportsmanship even during his playing days," the players cheered.

Mr. Matsui had prepared a message of support for the players for this day, and it was read aloud by Representative Tomonari to the participants, saying things like, "I'm thinking of you all from New York. I'm looking forward to seeing you demonstrate the spirit of discipline, respect, and justice through your baseball and softball games. Good luck!"