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SPORTS DIPLOMACY: Consul General of USA Brian Heath hosts Baseball Clinic for young Karachiites

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  • Post category:Pakistan / Slider / Sports
  • Post last modified:16/08/2016
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Edited By: M. M. ALAM

 

KARACHI: Consulate General of USA has long been practicing sports diplomacy to promote friendly relations and increase understanding between Pakistanis and Americans. The latest such endeavor has been a baseball clinic for the Metropolis’ young English Access* students. The event was hosted by the U.S. Consul General Brian Heath here at his official FJR residence on Tuesday.

Baseball luminaries including Sindh Baseball Association President Mohsin Khan, Amir Saleem, Jawad Ali, Shakeel Ahmed and Nadeem Zaheer beside others guided and trained 30 boys on the basic techniques of the game. Mini-scrimmage followed the training session facilitating the aficionados put the skills, they had learned, into practice.

Speaking on the occasion Consul General of USA Brian Heath observed that baseball was perhaps the sport most closely associated with America, where it remained popular with people of all ages. He held: “Pairing these enthusiastic boys with some of Pakistan’s greatest baseball players and coaches is an opportunity to learn more about the game and each other, while having a lot of fun.”

Cultural Affairs Officer Li Ping Lo addressing the audience said: “Sports can play a very important role in a young person’s life. We wanted this to be an occasion to also recognize the major contribution of the volunteers and coaches that serve as such important role models and mentors in their communities”. Consulate’s Cultural Attaché Adam Jagelski also attended the event.

IMG_9363KARACHI: Mini-scrimmage followed the training session facilitating the aficionados put the skills, they had learned, into practice.

* The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs funds the English Access Micro-scholarship Program. The Access program in Pakistan is among the worlds largest. Since its inception in 2004, more than 95,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated. Access provides a foundation of English-language skills to talented 13-18 year-olds from economically disadvantaged areas through after-school classes and intensive enrichment activities. Participants gain skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects; they can also compete for and participate in future exchanges and study programs in the United States.