t take part in the 13th World Youth Baseball Championship beginning Aug. 17 in Venezuela because the Venezuelan authorities have refused to issue visas to the players. The association has notified coach Lin Tsao-huang of the suspension in training for the players in Taichung.
Lin Shih-cheng, secretary-general of the association, said they filed visa applications as early as April but the Venezuelan government never gave the nod.
Even the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the baseball associations of Venezuela and Cuba have provided assistance.
But Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no visas will be issued without permission from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Lin said his association has already asked for stronger intervention by the IBAF and sought a formal apology from the baseball association of Venezuela for political interference in sports.
The next steps to be taken by Lin's group is to demand that the IBAF enforce a rule that will guarantee the issuing of visas to all qualified players by nations that host baseball contests, so that the rights of member nations and players will not be compromised, according to Lin.
The IBAF is scheduled to hold an interim general assembly of member nations in Frankfurt, Germany, Aug. 18-19.
Cabinet spokesman Shieh Jhy-wei accused China of persistently suppressing the sporting spirit around the world in order to obstruct Taiwan's participation in international competitive events.
After being blocked from the World Youth Baseball Championship in Venezuela, the Chinese Taipei youth baseballers are preparing for a friendly baseball tournament between Taiwan and Japan set for Nov. 9 in Tokyo, said Lin.
Over the years, Taiwan's little league and youth league baseball players have held many world championships in various nations around the world.
