A British Virgin Islands batter steps in against a Venezuelan pitcher at last month's men's qualifier in Colombia. (Photo courtesy of Colombian Softball Federation)

SPOTLIGHT ON COLOMBIA
2010-03-10

In South America the Colombian Softball Federation has burst into 2010 determined to strengthen their national programs and be noticed in global activities as well.

Last month in San Andres Islands the CSF hosted the qualifying tournament for the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games that will take place in July in Puerto Rico. Fourteen countries participated in the ten-day tournament in Colombia, which was officiated by 18 ISF-certified umpires that the CSF hosted.

Colombia’s men’s national squad was one of the eight teams that qualified for the competition at the multi-sport event set for July 18-25, when women’s softball will also be contested (July 23-30). Last year in Maracay, Venezuela, the qualifier was held for the Central American & Caribbean Games women’s softball competition and Colombia did get one of those eight berths too.

Next up is the softball competition at the IX South American Games (women’s only). Colombia (Medellin) is the host country for this edition of the multi-sport event. From March 21-26 the CSF, through the South American Softball Confederation, is organizing the softball competition that will consist of Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Thanks to efforts with members of the National Olympic Committee of Colombia and the South American Confederation, and the will of the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR), this event is set to be played in two rounds and one page system, to play 16 games of competition.

Colombians Antonio Morales Arrieta and Javier Anaya Lorduy are acting as president and secretary general of the South American Softball Confederation following elections held in Venezuela.

Later this year – from August 6-15 – the CSF will host the III Pan American Jr. Women’s Softball Championship in Bogota. The tournament will consist of 12 national teams competing to qualify for a spot in next year’s International Softball Federation IX Jr. Women’s World Championship (19-and-under) in Cape Town, South Africa (December 6-17, 2011).

Founded over 40 years ago, the Colombian Softball Federation today finds themselves with leadership consisting of Dr. Morales (president) and Executive Council members Jose Chejne Janna and Leobardo Marrugo (vice presidents), Secretary General Javier Anaya Lorduy, Treasurer Luis Díaz, and Vocals Gustavo Acevedo and Enrique Chartuni, as elected at their General Assembly last July for the period 2009-2013. Dr. Morales would be elected ISF Vice President/Latin America three months later at the ISF Congress in Venezuela.