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Havana, Cuba.- Lafter that the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) accused a blockade by USA their players to participate in the World Baseball Classicwas finally notified that they will be able to mention the Cuban players in the Major League Baseball (MLB) or in other leagues in the country, so the list of players considered for next year’s tournament will be announced soon.
“We have received a communication from the organizers of the Clásico in which they announce that the license requested by them was granted so that the Cuba team can register Cuban athletes, whether they are from MLB or not, who have residence in the United States on its rostersaid John Reinaldo Perez Pardopresident of the FCB in words quoted by the site of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation of Cuba.
“Communication requires that Soon they will inform the details of the license granted and once this happens we will be in a position to announce the pre-score of the Cuba team“Added the leader who regretted that a permit must be needed to be able to count on his players in a tournament in which they are founders and constant participants.
“While we recognize these gestures as positive steps, it is necessary to point out that they were the only fair solution to the issue. It is arbitrary and discriminatory that a permit from the United States Government is required for the organizers of a sporting event to guarantee the participation of a A country like Cuba (which) is not only the founder of these contests, but also earned its inclusion by qualifying like the rest of the 19 teams that will participate in the V Clásico,” he told the aforementioned outlet.
In it World Baseball Classic will participate 20 teams divided into four groups. The host cities of the matches will be Taichung, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan and Phoenix and Miami in the United States. The full tournament will take place from March 9 to 21, 2023. Cuba is located in the Group B beside Netherlands, Chinese Taipei and Italy.
Source: Tribune, Prensa Latina
