Pakistan U16 baseball gets rare chance

Coach, two national players to train in Chinese Taipei.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) will send two under-16 players and national coach Musaddiq Hanif for a two-week training program to the Major League Baseball International (MLBI) in Chinese Taipei from August 1.

PFB Secretary Syed Pervaiz Khawar Shah said the MLBI is a US-based organisation known for producing professional players who later go on to compete at the World League.

The official added that MLBI Director Rick Dell had shown interest in recruiting young talent from Pakistan when the team competed at the Asia Cup in November last year.

The MLBI chose pitcher Muhammad Hamza, who belongs to Chichawatni, and batter Asad Pervaiz from Lahore for the training camp, while Hanif will participate in the programme designed for coaches.



“It’s a big step for Pakistan baseball,” Khawar told The Express Tribune. “This is the first time that any Pakistan player will receive training alongside a professional league squad. I met Dell last year and he was very impressed by the players in our team. He was particularly interested in the under-16 players, who he said can be groomed and trained from the basic level.”

“The MLBI will bear all the costs of the stay in Chinese Taipei. The PFB is only providing the tickets to the players and coaches.”

Khawar further said the experience will be ‘priceless’ for the young players.

“The opportunity will open many doors for these young players; they will be coached by US professionals there. The MLBI grooms its own players and then trades them for thousands of dollars during the World League season each year. This will be a life-changing experience for them. Additionally, sending Hanif would be beneficial not only for him but also for other local coaches to whom he can impart his knowledge.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2013.

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