Datuk Low Beng Choo returned to helm the Softball Asia (SA) – formerly known as Softball Confederation Asia – by popular demand of the affiliates at their 24th SA Congress at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning.
Low, the life president of SCA since she last relinquished the post of president in 2014 – the post she held from 2009 to 2014 – to concentrate on her secretary general post in the Olympic Council of Malaysia then, takes over from incumbent Pan Yi Chuan from Chinese Taipei.
Pan assumes of the newly created post of chairman of SA.
The election for the term 2018-2022 yesterday went on smoothly as the affiliates were unison in their nomination for the new term as there were no contests.
However, there was a change in the five vice-presidents as new faces were nominated and elected.
Incumbents Dr Yang Xu (China), Syahrir Nawier (Indonesia), See Kok Wooi (Malaysia) Banyong Kiatkongchuchai (Thailand) and Choi Chulnam (Korea) were replaced with an unanimously decision to bring in new faces – Jean Henri Huillier (Philippines), Kim Eun Young (Korea), Kosoi Yimpaiboon (Thailand), Jimmy Fong Song Kuan (Hong Kong) and Susan Zhang Xuan (China).
1st vice president Taeko Utsugi (Japan) was returned to her post unopposed.
Incumbent, secretary generals, Sally Lim Swee Gaik (Malaysia) and Chang Chia Hsing (Chinese Taipei) were also returned unopposed for the new term.
The congress made two significant changes in their constitution which was unanimously accepted. The first was creation of a new post in the executive board namely chairman.
The delegates also unanimously nominated outgoing president Pan, to be the chairman.
The second change was the change to the association’s name from Softball Confederation Asia to Softball Asia and also a new logo to go with it.
“It is an honour to be asked to helm the SA again and unanimously supported by the affiliates,” said Low who is also the World Baseball/Softball Confederation secretary-general since 2014 who before amalgamation of the two sports, she was the secretary-general of the International Softball Federation from 2009.
“Softball has indeed grown in great leaps and bounds in Asia and with new branding of Softball Asia, we intend to further add a new life to the sports and move forward further,” said the former OCM secretary-general who was also OCM vice-president from 2002-2015.
Low added that Asian softball is well ranked in the world and in the men’s Japan is ranked 3rd, while in the women’s category, Chinese Taipei is ranked 5th, China 12th and Philippines 15th.
In baseball in the men’s category Japan is ranked second in the world, while Korea is ranked third and Chinese Taipei fifth, while in the women’s category Japan is top ranked while Chinese Taipei is 3rd, Korea 8th and Hong Kong 10th.
“SA is a very active body and with softball back for the 2020 Japan Olympics after last held in 2008, we have to work harder to catch up with the rest of the world and continue to keep the sport relevant.”
Indeed, it is a hectic year next year with the Olympic Games qualifier where six countries will qualify from the Asia Cup to be held in Jakarta in May 1-8, and also use this qualifier for top three teams for women’s World Cup 2021, Sea Games in Philippines and Asia Cup Under-18 tournaments in Singapore (girls) and Chinese Taipei (boys).
Softball Asia 2018-2022 officer bearers:
Chairman: Pan Yi Chuan (Chinese Taipei)
President: Datuk Low Beng Choo
1st Vice-President: Taeko Utsugi (Japan)
Vice Presidents: Jean Henri Lhuillier (Philippines)
Kim Eun Young (Korea)
Kosoi Yimpaiboon (Korea)
Jimmy Fong Song Kuan (Hong Kong)
Susan Zhang Xuan (China)
Secretary-Generals: Sally Lim Swee Gaik (Malaysia)
: Chang Chia Hsing (Chinese Taipei)
