A unanimous celebration reverberated across the softball world after the inclusion of the sport on the official sports programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, recognising the increased opportunities this decision opens for all the countries around the world.
One example is Softball India. President Neetal Narang expressed her excitement about the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and the plans to further develop the game in her country.
"Softball is played in almost all the states and union territories of the country, and we are looking for an opportunity that will propel the sport in India. The Olympics is the best platform for this,” Narang told Asian News International (ANI).
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics promises to be a significant stage for Indian softball, presenting an excellent opportunity to raise the sport's profile and propel it to new heights in the country.
The path is not easy for India, which climbed two positions up to 48 in the WBSC Women's Softball World Ranking in July, after their participation in the U-15 Asian Qualifier for the World Cup. However, the goal has been set for the next two years. "The primary objective is clear: to climb from the current 48th position to the top 20 globally and from ninth position to the top four in Asia within the next two years. Subsequently, the team's ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics," added Narang.
In September, Softball India organised a two-week-long Coaching Clinic Camp, aiming to prepare the national team for upcoming international events and honing the skills and teamwork of the Indian Women's Softball team. The camp saw the participation of 19 selected players from across nine states in India.
"We are launching our mission for the 2028 Olympics from the nationals. We will be selecting a pool of players during the national championship and will continue with national camps, aiming to improve our rankings both at the Asian and world levels," Narang elaborated. "The dedication and enthusiasm of the Softball Association of India, along with the nation's talented players, are set to make a mark on the global stage," said Narang.
