Lahore: The Pakistan Federation Baseball has engaged a Japanese coach, Yuki Naga, to prepare its team for the upcoming Asian Under-18 Baseball Championship. This move marks a significant step in enhancing the skills of young Pakistani baseball players.

According to Pakistan Federation Baseball, Pervez Ahmed Sheikh, Secretary General Syed Fakhar Ali Shah announced the hiring during a media briefing. Naga, who possesses extensive experience in pitching, will lead the training of the Pakistani squad set to compete in Taiwan this September. The selection process under Shah’s direction has narrowed down 22 players, with the final 18 to represent Pakistan at the championship. These players have backgrounds in various national and international junior levels, which will be further enriched by Naga’s coaching.

This strategic initiative is part of a broader effort by Shah to boost Pakistan’s stature in the international baseball scene, having previously engaged coaches from other countries, including Japan and America. The focus on developing a strong youth team is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s baseball capabilities in the future.