Rawalpindi - The 11th National Women Softball Championship will commence today (Friday) here at Pindi Cricket Stadium in which six teams from all the four provinces along with Islamabad and Police teams will be seen in action.
Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Softball Federation (PSBF) chairperson Senator Kalsoom Parveen said: “We are grateful to District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dal for providing best available facilities, accommodation and venue. It is quite unfortunate that sponsors, government and media give too much priority to cricket and ready to slash out huge amount whenever a cricket event is conducted, but other sports suffer badly. No one is ready to lend a helping hand to other sports, especially female sports. Softball was introduced in Pakistan way back in 1992 and we have worked day and night to promote the game.”
“The championship was originally scheduled to be held in Balochistan, but due to prevailing law and order situation, we requested DCO Rawalpindi, who excepted our request and not only provided us with venue, but also logistic help. People can’t even think about female players from far flung areas of the country especially from Balochistan and KPK will participate in the event. Parents have shown tremendous confidence in softball federation and we will do whatever we can to live up to their confidence. I am quite satisfied with the arrangements, especially accommodation provided to the players,” she added.
“We have sent female players to Australia, where they represented the country and they would soon be traveling to play matches in Iran, Turkey and Japan. I have established a ground for females in Balochistan where they play in safe and sound atmosphere and I have also installed floodlights in the stadium and very soon night matches will start there,” she asserted.
To a query regarding prize money, Kalsoom replied: “We are not giving cash prizes rather we will provide them with food, accommodation and traveling free of cost.”
Sharing his views, DCO Rawalpindi Sajid Zafar Dal said: “For the last few years, female sports were neglected in the region. We have given special attention to promote female sports at every level and we will look after visiting teams in the best possible manner, provide them security, meal and other facilities.”