August in 2015, under the sizzling summer sunlight, around 110 children with suntanned faces was playing baseball game. The spot was where baseball game was took place between Korean and Mongolian children which was organized by the Korea Territory.
Three years ago, Korea Territory established and was running children’s baseball team in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia sponsored by Kia Tigers(a professional baseball club in Korea). Every year since the team was established, there was ‘children’s baseball match. Especially in 2015, three baseball clubs from Korea visited Mongolia and then spent a week at the training camp and joined to three Mongolian baseball teams; The Salvation Army Ulaan Tigers, The Salvation Army Zuun mud and Mongolia Falcon. During the training camp, they shared fellowship with friendly baseball games.
In Guanqzhou Asian Game in 2010, the Mongolia National Baseball Team played baseball match with only one baseball bat and it moved Korean people and triggered interesting about Mongolian baseball. Following the Guanqzhou Asian Game, Mongolia National Baseball team also participated to Incheon Asian Game in 2014. Even though the team lost all matches, they took part all the scheduled matches. Many people gave the big hands for them. There is no single ball park in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and neither there is a professional baseball club as well. The only National Baseball Team is amateur baseball players composed of 13 people. In Mongolia, such a barren land for baseball, the sponsoring project for Mongolian children’s baseball team sponsored by Korea Territory was not only triggered interested in baseball within Mongolia but also it was sowing a seed for the development of baseball in Mongolia.
Since the Salvation Army Ulaan Tigers Baseball Team was established, it was effective to protect and care for the neglected children and contribute to children’s physical development. In 2015, by the strong request of the Mayor in Zuun mun, Tuv Aimag, the Zuun mun Tigers baseball team was newly established and running well.
In this Baseball match between Korean and Mongolian children’s team, many distinguished guests also participated from both Korea and Mongolia and it increased mutual understanding for both countries. The Korean Ambassador in Mongolia, General Secretary of Mongolia Olympic Committee and the Director of Health and Sports in Mongolia were participated to the match and promised their continuous support for development of baseball in Mongolia. On that day, the coach of The Salvation Army Baseball Team was being conferred the national order by the government as a recognition of contribution for international cooperation through the development of Mongolia baseball and improvement of international friendship with Korean children.
Korean children visited to Mongolia were neglected and isolated children raised by children’s home or children who have multi-cultural family background. By given them the opportunities to visit other country beyond Korea, they could have recovered their self-esteem and self-confidence and also broaden their views. Even though there was a language barrier and cultural differences, by the share of cultural distinctive and experience and friendly matches, they could learn sportsmanship and accept and encourage each other.
The Representative Office of the Salvation Army Korea Territory in Mongolia is running various programmes; kindergarten, computer class, after school programme, Korean language class, Art class and feeding programme in Ulaanbaartar. In Tuv Aimag, The Salvation Army is running some programme for the elderly though the welfare centre for the elderly. Through the social service programme, the Army continues to try to expand spiritual ministry and by doing these services, the Salvation Army is well recognized and being respected with a high trust by the community people and the government.
The sponsorship programme for Mongolian Children’s baseball team which commenced three years ago is not just support for baseball itself but for the children who are desperately needed in to care, social and physical development to establish a healthy physical condition, sociality and sense of cooperation. Through the baseball, children could find opportunity, dreams and hope which will enable them to planning their future. That’s why the sponsoring ministry by the Korea Territory for Mongolian Children’s baseball is a useful ministry tool not only for the children themselves but also for the parents and their extended families. I would like to give full support and cheer for the children who could be capable men to lead Mongolian baseball world and more than that those children who could be good impact for extend of the Kingdom of God in Mongolia.
Reported by Major Kim, Kyu-han,
former Development Ministries Secretary, Salvation Army Korea Territory