Government of Canada Supports the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - Baseball Canada will be able to count on the support of the Government of Canada to host the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball. This was announced today by the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport).

The World Cup of Women's Baseball is held every two years and attracts 144 athletes from 8 countries. The upcoming edition of the event will take place in August 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada I wish to congratulate and wish all the best to the Edmonton International Baseball Foundation and Baseball Canada in hosting the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball," said Minister of State Lunn. "Canada will once again welcome teams from all over the world to Edmonton, and we look forward to watching our team compete with the world's best. The Government of Canada is proud to be a key supporter of this event."

"Edmonton has an excellent reputation for hosting major international sporting events," said Mr. Hawn. "The reputation is well deserved, and I'm confident that Edmonton's hosting of this World Cup will show, yet again, that Canada can be counted on to deliver a successful event with maximum exposure and participation."

"Baseball Canada appreciates the Government of Canada's support through Sport Canada for the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball in Edmonton," said Ray Carter, President of Baseball Canada. "They helped us host the very first World Cup of Women's Baseball back in 2004, and we really appreciate the government's support as we continue our efforts to grow this sport on the international stage."

The organizing committee leading the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball is the Edmonton International Baseball Foundation (EIBF). This will be the second time that Edmonton hosts this event, as it previously hosted the inaugural World Cup in 2004.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. A contribution of $100,000 was provided to Baseball Canada for the 2012 World Cup of Women's Baseball through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)