KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday highly appreciated the talent and performance of young baseball player Shiraz Asif who is the captain of Pakistan’s junior team.

Murad Ali Shah invited the youngster to the Chief Minister House here on Wednesday and eulogised his achievements made at a very young age.

“Sportsmen who win laurels for the country are our assets and we will continue to patronise them,” said the CM.

He also lauded the achievements of talented Shiraz and said that he was proud of this youngster who is capable of excelling in national as well as international events. Shiraz became the first player from Sindh to represent represent Pakistan in the under-12 world baseball cup in 2013. He was declared best emerging played in 2015’s BFA, under-15 Asian baseball championship in Japan and also played an important role in Pakistan’s victory in the 2016 series with Italy.

The CM informed that promotion of sports in the province was a priority with his government and Sindh Sports Department is playing its due role in this regard.

The secretary general of Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP), Asif Azeem, and Mohammad Nasir, were also present on the occasion.

Asif apprised the chief minister of the problems being faced by baseball and softball players in the city as well as in the country. He emphasised that the new talent should be patronised at the government level.

The chief minister assured that the government of Sindh would extend assistance for the representation of talented players in baseball and softball in training courses abroad and participation in international events.

On the occasion, Asif also presented a souvenir on behalf of SFP to the chief minister.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2017