LAHORE, Feb 9: The Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) has suggested the Pakistan Baseball & Softball Federation (PBSF) not to host the 5th Asia Cup in 2003 as some of the BFA executives have expressed security concerns in the country in the aftermath of Sept 11 terrorists attack on the US and Dec 13 attack on Indian parliament.

In a letter, a copy of which was obtained by Dawn, secretary of the BFA, Yukichi Maeda, has proposed Pakistan to surrender next year’s championship and instead host either the 2005 or 2007 championship.

“The BFA executives are requesting to change the site of this event. I fully understand that Pakistan is truly willing and entitled to host this event. However, under above circumstances, I have to recommend you to postpone your hosting Asian Cup to 6th edition (2005) or even the 7th (2007) instead of the 5th,” Maeda suggests to the PBSF.

The BFA has asked Pakistan to reply at the earliest.

In an another development, the BFA has also asked the PBSF to confirm its participation in the next Asian Games to be held at Busan, South Korea this year.