Jesus Zenen Buergo Concecion, the Cuban ambassador, called on the Federal Minister for Sports, Engr Shaukat Ullah at the Ministry of Sports, Islamabad. Federal Secretary Sports Aziz Ahmed Bilour and Director General Pakistan Sports Board Syed Amir Hamza Gillani were also present during the meeting.
The Cuban ambassador extended an invitation to the Sports Minister to visit Cuba in order to strengthen relations between the two countries in the field of sports. Pakistan has also sought coaching expertise in boxing from Cuba.
Concecion said: “We want more meaningful and improved relations in the field of sports and are willing to start a coaching exchange program.
Pakistan is a great sporting nation and possesses extraordinary talent in many sports like cricket, hockey, squash and kabbadi. We would like to benefit from the rich experience of Pakistan and share with them ours.
Baseball and volleyball are very popular sports in Cuba and we would be very pleased if our expertise are of any assistance to Pakistan.”
The ambassador invited the Minister to visit the University of Sports in Cuba, which conducts research in the field of sports and provides training to players and coaches from all over the world.
Engr Shaukat Ullah praised the Cuban government’s role in providing medical assistance to the people of earthquake affected areas in 2005. Shaukat showed his interest in inviting the Cuban volleyball team to play in Pakistan, which will not only give international exposure to Pakistani players, but also send a message to the rest of the world that Pakistan is a peaceful country.
He said the Cuban coaches are doing well in Pakistan and helped a lot in the uplift of boxing in the country.
He also showed his desire to build cooperation between the two countries in sports on concrete lines.
Pakistan can provide coaching expertise to Cuban players in the sports of cricket, squash, kabbadi and hockey, he added.
Sports Minister presented souvenir to Cuban Ambassador. The dates of the visit, which is expected in May, will be finalized later.