FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2005

ISF PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONCERN AND SUPPORT
FOR SOFTBALL IN IRAQ
Travels Could Take Sport’s Leader to Rebuilding Country;
Equipment Could Be Sent Soon

Reacting to a report published recently in Baghdad, Lebanon, and Qatar, International Softball Federation (ISF) President Don Porter took time out during his current Asia trip to issue comments on the state of his sport in Iraq.

“The ISF is concerned about the lack of attention and support for women’s sports in Iraq, while applauding those that are trying to play, like Iran and other Muslim states,” Mr. Porter said from his hotel in Seoul, Korea.  “We want softball to be played in those countries and we intend to help them, including a personal visit such as I am doing currently in Asia, to assess first-hand what is needed in the way of support and help.”

He pointed out that the first women’s softball championship in Iran was held two months ago.

The ISF President went on to add that softball is a world sport, with the national governing body for softball in 126 countries being members of the ISF.  “With the support of the Iraq Olympic Committee, we would be glad to work with individuals in Iraq to make a national governing body for softball there our 127th member and get our sport played and enjoyed by boys, girls, men, and women in that country.”

Mr. Porter indicated that the world governing body for softball has sent equipment valued at over $900 thousand (USD) to over 60 countries over the last two-plus years, and would be willing to provide “starter kits” to Iraq to fuel the development of the sport there.  Starter kits shipped out by the ISF’s Development Department consist of: 12 gloves, six bats, two equipment bags, 24 balls, four batting helmets, a set of catching gear, and a set of bases.

The report that spurred the ISF President’s comments can be seen at each of the following: http://www.middle-east-online.com, http://www.dailystar.com, and http://english.aljazeera.net.

Mr. Porter will remain overseas until the end of this week.  He has already been in Beijing and North Korea on his current trip, which began on May 11.  He will return to the ISF’s world headquarters in Plant City, Florida, from the Asia trip.

The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).  Softball (women's fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.  There are 126 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

For more information, please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com or (813) 864-0100, ext. 229.