Vanuatu opens bases
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
in Harlem, New York
ON April 6, the Harlem Little League had its inaugural parade for the opening of the Baseball season.
Last year’s champions, The Diplo mats, undefeated last season, won their first game, 12 to 4. The Diplomats have more to distinguish them they are the only team sponsored by a UN Mission, Vanuatu’s.
“We started last year,” Vanuatu Ambassador Robert Van Lierop told PIM. “We do it because we’re a part of the community ours is the only mission in Harlem and we have to give back to the community. It’s consistent with Vanuatu’s support for the principles of the World Children’s Summit last year and we’re proud to be the only country sponsoring a team.”
Iris Rayford, a New York District Attorney who is President of the Little League, confirmed that out of more than 100 teams, the Diplomats were the only ones with diplomatic support, although she pointed out that major corporations in New York helped finance some of the 100 plus teams of 9 to 13 year olds in the game. □