KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Asso­ci­ation (POA) president retired Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan believes that participation of Pakistan coaches and umpires in international softball and baseball trai­n­ing seminars and coaching courses will prove beneficial for the country.

“All sports have become highly competitive, therefore they are highly demanding too. It has become very important for players to get training and coaching according to the modern techniques, rules and regulations. Participation of Pakistan coaches and umpires in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Asian Softball and Baseball Confederation (ASBC) training seminars and coaching courses will therefore prove very beneficial for them,” Arif said.

He met Pakistan coaches, umpires and scorer who will be participating in upcoming WBSC (baseball5) training seminar in Malaysia and WBSC’s umpiring and scorer courses. Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) secretary general Asif Azeem and vice-president Zeeshan Merchant were also present on the occasion. Murad Hussain, Shiraz Asif, Faraz Ijaz and Asfandyar Khan will attend the said events.

Arif also praised WSBC secretary general Dato Low Beng Choo for her vital role in promoting the game of softball in Pakistan.

“The participation of four Pakistan coaches and umpires international seminars and courses abroad will be very helpful for the games in the country. It will improve their skills and they will further impart and transfer their knowledge to other local officials and players will also benefit,” he said.

Asif said that last year also four Pakistan coaches participated in the coaching course in Japan. “This will be the first that umpires and scorer will also be attending course alongside coaches. And if our umpires pass the test following the course, they will be able to officiate Women’s Softball Championship in Thailand,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2019