By Jake Fehling, IBAF, www.ibaf.tv
TAICHUNG, Chinese Taipei – A press conference featuring Chinese Taipei delegates and representatives from each participating team kicked-off the 2008 IBAF Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament (FOQT).
The press conference, held in the Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Taichung, was opened by Jan Esselman, IBAF Tournament Director for the event.
“I have heard that good things come in three’s,” said Esselman, referring to this being his third tour as tournament director of an IBAF event hosted by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA).
“And I think that this will be the best tournament ever.”
Esselman was followed by members of the CTBA and local government officials, and each team coach/manager also had opening statements for the standing room-only press conference.
Play opens tomorrow at 12:30 with South Africa vs. Korea and Mexico vs. Canada at Intercontinental and Tou-Liou Stadiums, respectively. Intercontinental Stadium will later host the FOQT Opening Ceremony at 18:30, followed by host country Chinese Taipei taking on Spain at 19:00. In the other late game, Germany takes on Australia at 18:30 at Tou-Liou.