WBSC signs MoU with Association of Portuguese-Speaking Olympic Committees

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Association of Olympic Committees of Portuguese Official Language (ACOLOP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at supporting the sustainable growth of Baseball/Softball across the Olympic Movement in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate to support the establishment of new National Federations, in partnership with ACOLOP National Olympic Committees, in countries where Baseball/Softball are not yet represented at a national level.

“This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step in strengthening our collaboration with ACOLOP and expanding the reach of Baseball/Softball across the Portuguese-speaking world,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “By working closely with National Olympic Committees, we aim to support the creation of strong national structures and deliver sustainable development programmes aligned with the values of the Olympic Movement.”

“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding represents a strategic step towards strengthening sport within the Lusophone world,” said ACOLOP President Filomena Fortes. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to international cooperation, the enhancement of national federations, and the creation of new opportunities for athletes and leaders from Portuguese-speaking countries. Through this agreement, ACOLOP believes that it will be possible to promote sustainable and inclusive growth, aligned with the values of the Olympic Movement.”

The agreement places a strong emphasis on the growth of Baseball5 as a tool for sport and social development in Portuguese-speaking countries. WBSC Chief Operating Officer Marco Ienna presented Baseball5 at the fourth ACOLOP Congress, held last year in Cape Verde.

ACOLOP is a non-profit organisation related to the Olympic Movement, officially established on 8 June 2004 in Lisbon and made up of 12 Portuguese-speaking countries and communities across four continents - Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

Since 2022, ACOLOP President Fortes - an International Olympic Committee Member and President of the Cape Verde Olympic Committee - has supported the development of Baseball5 in the country.

Cape Verde has been a WBSC Member since 2020 and has benefited from an Olympic Solidarity grant to support Baseball/Softball development. They hosted the Baseball5 African Championship, a WBSC Baseball5 World Cup qualifying event, in February 2024.

Within the framework of the memorandum, the WBSC commits to providing training and development opportunities in Baseball/Softball during ACOLOP activities, including events such as the Lusophony Games. This includes the potential integration of Baseball5 into training programmes for coaches, managers, and officials from ACOLOP member countries.

The WBSC will also support the creation of global community programmes aligned with the objectives of the agreement.

“Baseball5 is an ideal development tool,” said President Fraccari. “Its simplicity, low cost, and inclusive nature make it perfectly suited for social and sporting development. Baseball5 allows us to reach new communities, empower young people, and build sustainable programmes that reflect the values of the Olympic Movement.”

WBSC President Fraccari and ACOLOP President Fortes signed the MoU on the occasion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.