Sports Desk

Karachi: Japan’s Consul General Karachi, Hattori Masaru, has said that sportsmen are the community that can establish unity among the nations individually and collectively. Athletes send a message of hope and confidence to the world through mutual respect, harmony and friendship.

He expressed these views on the occasion of a meeting with a delegation led by Softball Federation of Pakistan President Asif Azeem at the Japanese Consulate.

On this occasion, Vice Consul Saito Machi, Senior Vice President of Softball Federation Dr. Farhan Essa, Chairperson Yasmin Hyder and Secretary Finance Zeeshan Merchant were also present.

Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru said that softball is played by more than 65 million people from 140 countries around the world.

In terms of sports, the Olympic Games have an authentic and prominent place around the world and softball is part of the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in the city of Los Angeles,USA.

His Excellency, Hattori Masaru further said that he is very happy to see the growing popularity of softball among the Pakistani youth.

We will do our best to develop this game in a modern way in Pakistan. The Softball Federation of Pakistan will organize the women’s inter-provincial softball championship to be played in Karachi this month. Such events give young players plenty of opportunities to express their talents.

Federation President Asif Azeem said that Japan is one of the leading countries playing softball. Japan Consulate Karachi has always provided us with its full support for the development of softball.

Dr. Farhan Essa said that we wish qualified coaches and umpires from Japan to come to Pakistan to train our players and coaches.

Yasmin Hyder said that very soon they will organize a series of matches between the Japanese Consulate and the Pakistan Softball team.

On this occasion, the Softball Federation of Pakistan presented a softball momento bats and souvenirs to Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru and Vice Consul Saito Machi.