Fidel Castro sends message to Cuban baseball players

HAVANA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuban former leader Fidel Castro sent a message to the national beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/sports/baseball/index.shtml' target=_blank>baseball players who are training in the Netherlands for the Olympic Games in Beijing, the national press said on Tuesday.

"To the glorious Cuban athletes on their way to the Olympic Games: Go forward, and traveling with you is the love of our people to our native land," said Castro in a communique, handed to every baseball player.

The Cuban baseball team, formed by 29 players and coached by Antonio Pacheco, will participate in a traditional tournament before cutting the pool.

Besides Cuba and the Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, the United States, Japan and the Netherlands Antilles will participate in the contest too.