Thailand welcomes the World Baseball Softball Community to Bangkok for the 6th WBSC Congress

The 6th World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Congress officially opened on Saturday at the Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand with a warm and inspiring address from Assistant Professor Pimol Srivikorn, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT).

Speaking before WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari, members of the Executive Board, and delegates from across the globe, Srivikorn extended Thailand’s heartfelt hospitality to the WBSC family who have gathered to chart the future of baseball and softball worldwide.

“On behalf of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, and indeed the entire Kingdom of Thailand, it is my immense honour and privilege to extend our warmest and most sincere welcome to you all,” Srivikorn said. “To have representatives from 142 member federations and 15 associate members gathered here under one roof is a powerful testament to the remarkable unity and global reach of baseball and softball.”

Srivikorn highlighted that hosting the WBSC Congress aligns perfectly with Thailand’s mission to advance the Olympic Movement and its core values of excellence, friendship, and respect. He praised the enduring global spirit of baseball and softball, describing them as sports that cultivate discipline, teamwork, and perseverance among youth across all continents.

“Baseball and softball are not just games,” he said. “They are [disciplines] that build character, demand strategic thinking, and teach the invaluable lessons of teamwork and perseverance to millions of young people around the world.”

He commended the delegates for their dedication and emphasised that their work over the coming days will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction and global strategy of both disciplines.

“The work you do here will resonate on fields and diamonds across the globe, inspiring the next generation of athletes to dream bigger and reach higher,” Srivikorn remarked.

While acknowledging the demanding agenda of the Congress, the NOCT President also encouraged participants to take time to experience the **rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality** of Thailand.

“Bangkok is a tapestry of rich cultural heritage and world-renowned Thai hospitality,” he said. “We hope you feel the warmth of the ‘Land of Smiles’ during your stay.”

He concluded by extending his best wishes for a productive, collaborative, and memorable congress, expressing confidence that the discussions held in Bangkok would contribute meaningfully to the growth and unity of the global baseball and softball community.