KARACHI: Sindh Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs Dr Niaz Abbasi has vowed to extend all-out support for the betterment of infrastructure for the game of softball in Sindh.

“Pakistan is counted among those few countries where athletes are brimming with talent. And if they are provided with good level sports infrastructure and world class playing fields, our athletes can win Olympic medals as well,” said Niaz during the unveiling ceremony of the logo of National Softball Academy.

Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) secretary general Asif Azeem, Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput, Director National Academy Moham­mad Nasir, Director International Affairs Zaheer Hussain, Coordinator Imran Ali Zaman, Murad Hussain, Faraz Ijaz and Shiraz were also present during the occasion.

Dr Niaz said that Sindh is a peace and sports loving province and athletes here are highly talented. He further said that Sindh government has been doing its best for the betterment of sports and added that he is happy to see players’ interest growing for softball.

“The establishment of National Softball Academy will prove very beneficial for the promotion of the sport in the country. We will always be ready to extend helping hand for the academy in any way we can,” Niaz said.

Meanwhile, Director Academy Mohammad Nasir said that participating players will receive physical fitness training and would able to learn basic techniques about softball at the academy.

“We will also try our best to provide international exposure to our players.”

Meanwhile, he added that the National Academy in collaboration with SFP will celebrate World Softball Day on June 26 at the Karachi Parsi Institute Ground with a festival match between women teams.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2018