Nicholas Alumai is the lucky youngster who will continue his education at the University of St Thomas in Huston where he will also polish his baseball skills.
The Dodgers Academy graduate and the Uganda Little League Baseball in Nakirebe, Mpigi District is destined for the US to pursue education at University of St Thomas in Houston Texas, Nicholas will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Engineering while making attempts to join the pro ranks of the lucrative Major league baseball.
The 19-year-old right-handed pitcher joins three other Ugandans in the US on a baseball scholarship. Isaac Odong is a fellow student at University of St Thomas while Ben Sserunkuma and Male Umar will officially join the Dodgers franchise after a year on trials in the Dominican Republic.
Alumai’s journey to this dream has not been easy but a rollercoaster of trials and tribulations all passed by hard work and the will of God. “This is amazing, it has been my dream since I was in senior one, its been a dream I have been working. I believed and I trusted God because I know he will make things happen, I came here on a scholarship in 2015 so have been keeping on studying as well playing this game. I have had different challenges and set backs.” The soft spoken Alumni told NBS Sport during an interview.
To the Dodgers academy and Uganda little league baseball, this latest addition is testimony of hard work and they believe many others will follow the trail.
The Dodgers academy and Uganda little league baseball is a brain child of Professor Richard Stanley. It started in 2003 as a basic school but has now grown by leaps and bounds.
The Dodgers Academy Chief Scout Will Nolden relishes in the Ugandan talent and is optimistic many other kids will follow Alumai’s path.
“Just like his partner Isaac Odongo, Nicholas proved that there are special opportunities for children from Uganda for playing baseball in colleges but also getting a degree from United States University. Alumai will learn from the other players who have grown up in different environments.” Dodgers Academy Chief Scout Will Nolden noted.
Uganda baseball and softball association President Felix Okuye applauds the Dodgers academy and Uganda little league baseball for this job and promises a proper working relationship to spur success.
“The talent he has exhibited in baseball, he has featured for the national team and that is something great, and we are looking forward that as he goes to this level he is going to get better because of the facilities and the environment he will be engaged in.”
The Dodgers academy and Uganda little league baseball are housed at the AVRS school in Nakirebe.
