OKC, Canada tourneys for Blu Girls

LAYING the foundation for a plan that Philippine softball officials hope will end up with qualification to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the Blu Girls vie in two international tournaments next month in the US and Canada.

The Blu Girls, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champions, go up against the toughest teams in the world in the World Cup from July 5 to 10 in Oklahoma City, before seeing action in the World Women’s Softball Championship starting July 15 in Surrey, Canada.

“This is a perfect start for our four-year plan for our RP Blu Girls to compete and contend in 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “These tournaments will show us where we stand and what improvements are needed.”

The Blu Girls will face two American teams, World No. 1 Japan, China, Mexico, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in the World Cup.

Among the World Championship entries are Italy, Puerto Rico, Austria, Venezuela, Taiwan, Peru and India. Cedelf P. Tupas