Xiao Tian
Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China
President of the Organizing Committee of the ISF XI Women's Worlds

Respected Mr Porter, Mr Liu Qi,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we gather here in this beautiful, modern and time-honoured city of Beijing for the ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch World Championship. On behalf of the Organizing Committee for the ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch World Championship and 15 million hospitable citizens in Beijing, I wish to warmly welcome all athletes, coaches, umpires, technical officials and guests coming to the Championship. I would also like to extend my warm welcome to guests and friends present here at the Opening Ceremony. And my sincere thanks go to the Beijing Municipal Government, the General Administration of Sport of China, BOCOG, the Chinese Softball Association and the Fengtai District Government for their support to the Championship.

The ISF Women's Fast Pitch World Championship is one of the qualifiers for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as well as a top international softball competition held every four years. The Championship plays a very important role in promoting the sport of softball and in testing the Olympic venues and facilities.

I sincerely hope that all competitors will demonstrate sportsmanship and great performance. I hope that all friends will enjoy this sports celebration, experience the historical and modern charm of Beijing and deepen their understanding of the Chinese people.

I wish the ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch World Championship a great success!

Thank you for coming.