KARACHI: A total of 27 coaches hailing from 10 Asian countries including Pakistan are participating in a high-profile training course organised by the Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) in Narita, Japan.

According to information made available here, on the opening day of the course, Chairman Coaching Committee Japan Softball Association (JSA) Hiroshi Yajima lectured the participants about modern techniques and new rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, batting coach Hirotaka along with pitching coach Toshihiro Kuriyama coached trainers about catching, batting, running and pitching at Naspa Stadium.

SCA first vice president Taeko Utsugi, while addressing the training seminar, said that Japan is considered as one of the top softball playing nation, which has clinched many international awards. She added that coaching staff has played an important role in these achievements.

“The same coaches are now imparting international level training to Asian coaches in this course. I hope that after a learning experience here, the participating coaches will train players in their countries in a better way,” she said.

Meanwhile, she also talked to Pakistan coaches Mohammad Zeeshan Merchant, Adil Zaman, Captain of Pakistan junior softball team Shiraz Asif and Mohammad Abbas at the sidelines of the seminar and lauded Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) for sending its coaches for the training course.

She added that this would help Pakistan prepare strong team in times to come.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2018