MLA Sodhi informed the audience that Softball was slated for inclusion in the Japan Olympics 2020.
The 34th Junior National (Men/Women) Softball Championship-2016 was held at Lovely Professional University from 6th-11th August, 2016. LPU hosted the 46 teams (25 boys’ teams and 21 girls’ teams) that came here to play the championship games. The four LPU playgrounds saw spirited striking, pitching, fielding and running, and of course some very loud cheering, the entire week the teams were here. Punjab Boys and Madhya Pradesh Girls became the Champions in their respective categories while Delhi Girls and Chhattisgarh Boys finished 2nd and Chandigarh Girls and Haryana Boys won the 3rd Place.
The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal, gave away the Winner and Runner-up trophies, medals, certificates and prizes to the players, officials, co-ordinators, and participants. Guest of Honour, MLA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, President Softball Association of India, Secretary General Dr Pravin Anaokar, and Punjab Softball Association Secretary General Mr P N Passi accompanied Mr Mittal.
Thanking LPU Management for the arrangements made for the Championship, MLA Sodhi informed the audience that Softball was slated for inclusion in the Japan Olympics 2020. Sharing his personal experience as a shooter, he advised the players that concentration plays an important role in a sportsperson’s success. Dr. Anaokar shared that our neighboring countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and other are also being encouraged to adopt and promote this game. In fact a few players from Nepal came with the Championship contingent to learn the skills of the game. These players were honored with a gift of a softball kit each. He also mentioned that the softball association was considering the organization of a coaching camp at LPU as LPU already has many international players on its rolls.
Congratulating the winners and encouraging all other participants, LPU Chancellor Mr Mittal said, “I am happy at the successful conduct of the championship at the LPU campus. Being the host, our university has tried its best to live up to the expectations of Softball Associations of both India and Punjab. We are honored at the responsibility entrusted upon us to promote and popularize this game.” Mr Mittal further added, “I am also pleased to learn about the inclusion of softball in the next Olympics. I anticipate that two of our students, who have already excelled in this game at both national and international levels, will definitely get selected in the next Olympic squad.”
