LAHORE: President Pakistan Olympic Association retired Lt Gen Arif Hasan has said that his organisation will provide all possible assistance including sponsorship to support the staging of international softball events in Pakistan.

Speaking to a delegation of Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) which called upon the POA chief here the other day, Arif said that he sees a bright future for the game of softball in Pakistan which is getting popular by the day in the country.

He lauded the untiring efforts of SFP president Saleem Khan, secretary Haider Khan Lehri, head coach Asif Azeem and chief selector Maroof-ul-Hasan in promotion and development of the game in the country and added that the upcoming softball players across Pakistan are displaying great talent in the national competitions which augurs well for the sport.

Arif further said that the POA will soon be getting in touch with International Softball Federation (ISF) president Dale McMann and secretary Low Beng Choo to send international coaches to Pakistan for imparting training to local players.

Coach Asif informed the POA chief that SFP, despite the shortage of funds, has been providing maximum opportunities to the local players to compete at international events. Maroof requested Arif to used his good offices to convince the Asian softball teams to visit Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014