BFA News

January 17, 2018

Baseball Family mourns the death of Syed Khawar Shah, Pakistan Baseball founder and Member-at-Large of BFA

LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) President Syed Khawar Shah passed away in the morning of January 16, 2018 at the age of 68.

In 1992 under Shaw’s leadership, the PFB was founded and baseball was officially born in Pakistan, allowing the country to compete at the international level while helping to grow the baseball world.

“This is a tremendous loss for our sport in Pakistan, Asia and worldwide,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “History will always remember President Shah’s important legacy and milestones in baseball.”

During Shah’s presidency, PFB launched annual men’s and women’s national championships, helping develop and identify players for Pakistan’s national teams, which have currently risen to 26th in the world in men’s baseball and 12th in women’s baseball.

In 2016, the Pakistan Women’s National Baseball Team made a buzz debuting in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, while the Pakistan men played in their first-ever World Baseball Classic Qualifier, where Shah’s son Syed Fakhar Ali was National Team manager.  He also lead U-15 National Team to BFA Championship

Baseball Federation of Asia President (BFA) Tom Peng said “Having been looking forward to seeing Syed Khawar Shah at the 1st BFA Executive Committee Meeting in Taiwan at the end of this month, I am deeply saddened to learn his passing.  As an BFA Executive he dedicated his life to the game and helped the growth of game not only in Pakistan but also in West Asia and provided opportunities for playing baseball for children of all ages.  His contribution to our sport will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and international baseball colleagues.”