Dallas (Texas-USA) – The XXVI Congress of the IBAF opened with the presentation of some awards in recognition to the support offered to the organization during the last 2 years.
The IBAF is very thankful to Paul Archey, MLB Vice President International Business Operations.
“The United States have not hosted a Congress in more than 30 years. We fully support the IBAF and not only I appreciate him professionally, but I like to call Riccardo Fraccari a personal friend. As MLB, we will do whatever we can to support the Olympic reinstatement campaign”.
An award goes for their support to Nippon Professional Baseball (represented by Secretary General Kunio Shimoda), the Korea Baseball Organization (represented by Deputy Secretary Yang Hae Young), the Chinese Professional League (represented by Commissioner Chao Shou Po).
Chao Shou Po offered his full support to the Olympic reinstatement program: “There is no reason why baseball should be out of the Olympic Games.”
The Congress also welcomed the presence of the Babe Ruth League and Little League Baseball.
President Fraccari introduced and thanked Don Porter, the President of the International Softball Federation (ISF), for sharing the vision of Olympic Reinstatement and the need of a joint bid.
Porter confirmed: “Our Congress in Oklahoma City voted a resolution to support the work we have already began doing together to regain Olympic status for both our sports”.
Porter remembered the huge effort done by former President Bob Smith in the 1980s and said he is confident baseball and softball have a good chance “If they work together”.
Porter continued: “There are millions of boys and girls throughout a world that do not have a dream. We want to provide them one”.
As the representative of the IBAF, Justine Siegalattended the IOC’s 5th International Athletes’ Forum in Colorado Springs (USA.
“I introduced myself and stated” said Siegal “Girls and boys, men and women, play and love baseball around the world. And we great passion we want to be back in the Olympics”
The Congress unanimously approved a joint bid with softball and delegated the Executive to sign an agreement with the International Softball Federation.
The IBAF honored also its 2010 and 2011 Global Partners: Brett, Mizuno, SSK and Kenko.
Former Secretary General Eduardo De Bello announced his retirement after serving for many years and was honored “For his huge, continuing and passionate support to world baseball”.
De Bello spoke briefly to the Congress: “I have been a part of this organization for 20 years and a member of the Executive for 14 years. Now the time has come to leave room for other officials. I want to thank the Congress and the colleagues at COPABE for their continuing support”.
IBAF Secretary General, and new COPABE President Israel Roldan said: “It’s an extraordinary privilege to succeed Eduardo. It is also going to be a tough task, since I have never met someone as capable as Eduardo to resolve conflicts. I thank him from the very bottom of my heart”.
The IBAF thanked the Federations of Italy, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Chinese Taipei for hosting meetings of the Executive.
