KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Play has begun here at the 4th Asian Jr. Women’s Softball Championship (19-and-under) with Iran making their debut in such a regional, fast pitch tournament, alongside eight other countries.

The sport is demonstrating its adaptability with the event being played on a football (soccer) field that is being converted to softball for purposes of hosting this championship.

“This is another great showcase for our sport,” said International Softball Federation Secretary General Ms. LOW Beng Choo. “The strong showing from around this region and the application of our transformable venue option solidifies softball’s place on the international sporting landscape. There are high hopes for the week ahead.”

Ms. LOW is the also president of the Softball Association of Malaysia. She is being joined at the tournament by ISF Director of Competition Laurie Gouthro.

Joining Iran in the tournament, which began yesterday and ends on Wednesday (December 16), are China, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, (South) Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Japan is the defending champion from the 3rd Asian Jr. Women’s Championship, which took place in Korea.

The top three finishers will qualify for the ISF IX Jr. Women’s World Championship, which will take place in December 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Iran, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand were to have their national softball federation presidents on-hand for the competition.

The Softball Association of Malaysia hosted a Softball Confederation Asia umpires course this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with participants from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. The instructors were from Australia and Chinese Taipei.

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