Baseball to bring Under-15 World Cup to nuclear-hit Fukushima

WBSC have announced the dates of three World Cup events ©WBSC

Fukushima, site of the world's worst nuclear accident for 25 years four years ago, has been announced as the host of the 2016 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Under-15 Baseball World Cup.

The sport’s governing body have revealed the tournament is set to take place between July 29 and August 7 next year, with the event set to be arranged in collaboration with the Baseball Federation of Japan and city officials.

One of the aims of the World Cup is to raise awareness and support the recovery efforts in the region, which was evacuated on mass following the flooding of the Daiichi Power Plant, caused by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

The competition is set to feature 12 nations with players between the ages of 13 and 15 taking part.

The agreement to stage the World Cup in Fukushima, located 240 kilometres from Tokyo, comes fresh from the news that Tokyo 2020 have recommended baseball and softball among five sports for possible inclusion at that year's Olympics in the capital.

"It is an honour and a privilege for the WBSC to have the 2016 Under-15 Baseball World Cup staged in Fukushima, Japan," said Riccardo Fraccari, WBSC President.

"WBSC and all of our partners are fully committed to playing whatever role we can to bring the benefits and universal values of sport to help shape a better society and symbolise a brighter future.

“If our sport is able in any way to help recognise the ongoing recovery and lift community morale, it will be a great duty and honour, as well as an important cultural experience for our young athletes."

The Under-15 World Cup is set to take place in Fukushima, which suffered the devastating earthquake in 2011 — The Under-15 World Cup is set to take place in Fukushima, which suffered a devastating earthquake in 2011 ©Getty Images

Cuba will be attempting to defend their title at the tournament, which is held every two-years, having beaten the United States in the gold medal match in 2014.

Meanwhile, dates for two other tournaments have been announced by the governing body, with the second men’s Under-21 Baseball World Cup and the Women’s Baseball World Cup schedules also revealed.

The Under-21 tournament is due to take place in the new 20,000-seat stadium of the Mexican Pacific League club the Culiacan Tomateros between June 17 and 27.

Chinese Taipei claimed the inaugural title after beating Japan in the final and will be hoping for a repeat performance in Sinaloa, Mexico.

A newly expanded women's tournament, which has grown from eight to 12 teams, will see matches take place from September 3 and 11 in Gijang City, South Korea, with Japan hoping to defend their title and earn a fifth victory at the event.

"This is an unprecedented time for the growth and globalisation of our sport, and WBSC takes very seriously its role to expand opportunities for our women athletes who want to shine and showcase their skills at the world level," said Fraccari.