The Israel Association of Baseball and Dubai Little League are jointly planning a Field of Peace Tournament featuring the 12-and-under national teams of Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
The first series of games will take place, Covid permitting, on March 21-25 at the Dubai Little League Park. The teams are to meet again next fall in Tel Aviv.
Invitations have also been extended to teams from other Gulf countries to participate in the tourney, in which teams will play for the Unity Cup.
“We strive together to develop the game of baseball in Israel and Dubai as a basis for peace and cooperation between our countries,” said IAB President Jordy Alter and Dubai Little League President Roger Duthie in a joint statement. “We see this as a major step forward. … We hope these games lead to further regional cooperation.”
Saeed Mohammad Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council said, “I cannot think of anything better than to have children represent the bright future that we look forward to growing together. The Dubai Sports Council is proud to support this initiative, which is a testament to the wonderful volunteers of the Dubai Little League and the Israel Association of Baseball.”
Dubai Little League has over 400 players ages four to 18 playing baseball and softball in Dubai. The IAB runs teams for ages six to adult, as well as the Israel Baseball Academy for 14- to 21-year-old standout players, and the Baseball Le’Kulam program bringing together Jewish Israel and Arab Israeli sixth-graders.
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