BFA President Koo Chung-liang Meets Philippine Sports Officials, Pledges Support for Asian Major League Development
On April 10, 2026, Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) President Koo Chung-liang met with Philippine sports officials to discuss the proposed Asian Major League. Koo pledged to donate baseball equipment to the Philippines and facilitate training for young Filipino players in Taiwan, aiming to enhance sports exchange. The BFA announced on April 13, 2026, that its Executive Committee will convene in Manila, Philippines, in May. Philippine delegates, including John Patrick C. Gregorio, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, visited Taiwan in April to study its baseball development model. Koo emphasized that regional baseball cooperation can foster peace amidst geopolitical tensions and highlighted Asia's potential to become the world's leading baseball market, citing interest from Saudi Arabia and Japan's support for an Asian-led league.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 21:52
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 22:08 (6 min after Collected)
Koo Chung-liang, President of the Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA), met with Philippine sports officials on April 10, 2026. The meeting focused on the development of the Asian Major League. Koo committed to donating baseball equipment to the Philippines and arranging training for young Philippine baseball players in Taiwan. This initiative aims to strengthen sports exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines. The BFA issued a press release on April 13, 2026, stating that its Executive Committee meeting will take place in Manila, Philippines, in May. Philippine delegates, including John Patrick C. Gregorio (Chairman, Philippine Sports Commission), Louise Jashil R. Sonido (Executive Director, Philippine Sports Commission), Francis Carlos B. Diaz (Executive Director, National Sports Institute), Armando A. De Castro (Vice President, Philippine Baseball Association), and Michael Benedict C. Asuncion (Secretary General, Philippine Baseball Association), visited Taiwan in April. Their visit's objective was to observe Taiwan's baseball development and visit community baseball facilities such as Xinzhuang, Riverside Park, and Youth Park. Gregorio noted the Philippines' historical baseball strength, including winning the first Asian Baseball Championship in Manila in the 1950s. Koo articulated that regional baseball collaboration can transcend political, religious, racial, and geographical divisions, contributing to peace and stability, particularly in light of current geopolitical situations in West Asia and the South China Sea. He identified Asia as a significant market for baseball due to its large population and growing interest beyond traditional strongholds like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, extending to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam) and West Asia (Saudi Arabia). Koo suggested the Asian Major League could evolve into the world's premier baseball market. He referenced the 'LIV Golf' league, funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, as a successful model for large-scale sports investment. Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed interest in applying a similar investment model to baseball. Japan, currently ranked first globally in baseball, also supports the establishment of an international baseball league led by Asian entities. The prospects for the Asian Major League are considered promising. Koo's efforts in baseball diplomacy include arranging training for the Thai national team in Taiwan last year. He was re-elected as Executive Vice President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as BFA President and Baseball Association Chairman. The May BFA Executive Committee meeting will continue to discuss substantive baseball development issues in Asia.