SYED FAKHAR ALI SHAH MEMBER AT LARGE BASEBALL FEDERATION OF ASIA/PRESIDENT PAKISTAN FEDERATION BASEBALL VISIT IRAN
Syed Fakhar Ali Shah Member at Large Baseball Federation of Asia/President Pakistan Federation Baseball visited Iran in the last week of January 2021. The purpose of his visit was to inspect the development of baseball in Iran and the ground being prepared for the 15th West Asia Baseball Cup. He was accompanied by Amaid Kazmi, Director Youth Development Pakistan Baseball Federation, Indian Baseball Federation President Krishnamurthy and Secretary General Harish Kumar.
On the first day of the visit, Fakhar Shah, accompanied by the President of the Iran Baseball Federation and representatives of the Indian Baseball Federation, visited the Karaj Baseball Stadium where the 15th West Asia Baseball Cup will be held. He inspected the ground, hostel and other facilities for the accommodation of the players. Fakhar Shah also met the Director of Karaj Baseball Stadium. The director said that it is a great honor that an International Baseball event is going to be held in Iran. We will complete all preparations before the date for the tournament. Syed Fakhar Shah inspected all the facilities and ground and expressed his satisfaction.
On the second day of the visit, Syed Fakhar Ali Shah met with the Secretary General of the Iran Olympic Association and other officials in Tehran. During the meeting, the Olympic Secretary assured all possible cooperation for the successful conduct of the West Asia Baseball Cup. Indian officials were also present in the meeting.
On the third day, Fakhar Shah met with Mr. Farshid Tahmasbi, Director General of the Iranian Ministry of Sports. During the meeting, sports relations, sports diplomacy, bilateral relations and sports activities were discussed between Pakistan, Iran and India. Mr. Farshid welcomed the hosting of the International Baseball Event in Iran and assured the full cooperation of the Ministry of Sports.
At the end of the visit, Syed Fakhar Ali Shah said that Iran's Ministry of Sports wants to have good relations with other countries in the region as well as with Pakistan in the future and exchange of bilateral sports delegations. In addition to the bilateral series or tournaments between the youth baseball teams of the three countries and the senior national teams with the permission of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, baseball five matches will also be held. The Iranian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Sports are ready for full cooperation for the development of baseball in Iran and the successful holding of the 15th West Asia Baseball Cup. The Iran Baseball Federation wants to hold the event in July 2021, but the final decision will be made by the Baseball Federation of Asia.
Syed Fakhar Shah further said that he will continue to work for the development of baseball in the region. He hoped that if the Presidents of the WBSC and BFA attended the opening or closing ceremony of the West Asia Baseball Cup, it would greatly help in the development of baseball in the region.
