The International Baseball Federation (IBF) has formed an 11-member panel to support women’s baseball’s inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Donna Lopiano, former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, heads the panel that includes members from Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, Nigeria, India, Cuba, Portugal, Australia and South Korea.
According to the IBAF the panel will work to develop the women’s game globally, consider the site for next year’s Women’s World Cup, and create a world ranking system, reports the Associated Press.
The IBAF reportedly included a women’s component to its campaign after softball rejected baseball’s proposal for a joint baseball-softball Olympic bid.
The Associated Press reports the IBAF is proposing a five-day, eight-team women’s baseball Olympic tournament alongside a men’s tournament.
