Cuttack (Odisha): Sports lovers in Odisha have an opportunity to witness an international baseball event when the state plays host to the 7th Asian Baseball Championship (Under-15) for Boys at the Barabati stadium here from November 5-11.
Altogether eight top-ranking countries in Asia -Japan, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the Philippines, Hongkong, and Pakistan besides hosts India would participate in the week-long championship being organized in the state for the first time, secretary general of the Baseball Federation of Asia (BSA) Sang-Hyun-Lee said.
The event assumed significance in view of the dominance of Asian countries in the world baseball mega-events. In the Barcelona Olympics though Cuba snatched the gold medal, Japan and Chinese Taipei had bagged silver and bronze medals respectively.
Expressing satisfaction over the infrastructure and other facilities at the Barabati stadium, Lee exuded confidence that the championship would be conducted smoothly. "The baseball championship will be a great success in Odisha", he said.
Secretary of the Baseball Association of Odisha Sivananda Pradhan said a budget of Rs one crore has been estimated for the successful organization of the event being organized jointly by the Amateur Baseball Federation of India and OBA.
Secretary General of Amateur Baseball Federation of India P C Bharadwaj accompanied Lee during his visit.