Karachi: Secretary World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Dato Low Beng Choo praised Pakistan’s youngest athlete Shiraz Asif in country’s Asian Games contingent recently in Jakarta, Indonesia for his good performance Pakistan junior baseball team.
Choo said that Pakistan has immense talent in softball and baseball, which could be ascertained with Shiraz’s performance. Shiraz Asif featured in Asian Games as baseball player of Pakistan junior team.
“Pakistan has immense talent in both baseball and softball. They only need international exposure in order to lift their game and perform better in the international arena,” said Choo, who met Shiraz during the Games and also presented the youngster with souvenirs along with Secretary Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) Sally Lim in Jakarta.
She said that Shiraz should continue doing the good work and making efforts and break into the senior side at the right time.
Meanwhile, Shiraz said that it had been as honor for him to represent Pakistan in Asia’s biggest sports event and he would continue to improve his game and win laurels for the country in future.
She further said that she has spoken to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan on Pakistan’s performance in baseball and softball. She said that the baseball team played well in Asian Games and added that things will get better in future.
Pakistan baseball team defeated Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong in Asian Games Group matches. The team ended fifth in the event.
Choo further said that new talent could be seen in both baseball and softball in Pakistan, which is a good omen for the country’s prospects in the two games.
She said that both the games were now being promoted in schools and colleges and different events, such as different courses and tournaments, have helped in the development of the two sports in the country.
She lauded Pakistan Baseball Federation President Syed Fakhar Ali Shah and Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) Secretary Asif Azeem for their services to the two games.
“There’s a need to make efforts to send players abroad for more exposure in international tournaments. It would help players improve their game and perform well for the country in future,” she said.