Nigeria’s representative at the maiden West Africa Little League tournament and Lagos-based Adekalu Bulls on Saturday won the Baseball and Softball categories.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adekalu Bull warded off oppositions from Republic of Benin and Cote D’Ivorie and four other Nigerian teams to emerge champions in the 4-day tournament.
Team Benin Republic came second, while Team Cote D’Ivoire came third in the Baseball category.
In the Softball category, Adekalu Bulls are champions, while Lagos-based Team Rak Angels came second, and Team Yenogoa came third.
The 4-day tournament was held at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos.
The Tournament Director, Kehinde Laniyan, said the maiden West Africa Little League tournament had been able to bring together Baseball and Junior Softball teams, players and officials from West Africa.
“This tournament was approved by the Little League International in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and this is a historic moment as Nigeria played host to other West African countries here in Lagos.
“It is interesting that Republic of Benin, Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria are fully represented and they have shown the world that Baseball and Softball games in Africa are fast developing.
“I, herewith, acknowledge our sponsors, Transcorp Inc. First Bank, Lassena Waters, and Winning Edge Marketing Services.
“I also acknowledge the support of Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike and others in the last 30 years, also Ade Taiwo, Armstrong Ogwuiche and others,” he said.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Intergovernmental Relations and Special Duties, Omobolaji Ogunlende, commended the officials for keeping the flag of the game flying in spite of being little known in Nigeria.
“The officials have really tried in keeping the flag flying, when we talk to some people about Baseball/Softball, they hardly understand the game.
“However, this is a game that should be made popular in Nigeria because it is popular is other advanced countries, so we have a duty to ensure adequate sponsorship of the game.
“We need to take the game far and near and discover young ones that can play the game because we are already passing our prime,” he said.
A former Director General of Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, in her addressed said she had become obsessed with the sport.
She, however, challenged the officials of the game to be up and doing while pledging her support for their programmes.
“Now that I am retired, I will devote more of my time to be the one to look for sponsors for Baseball/Softball programmes.
“I will start dusting up my contacts to seek for sponsorships for the game while the administrators are busy giving the directions,” she said.
NAN reports that Maj-Gen. Ishola Williams (retired), was decorated as the Grand Patron of the Little League, while Okereke-Onyuike was decorated as the Grand Matron of the tournament.
Adekalu Bulls’ Nwanchuku emerged the Best Pitcher of the tournament, Jordan from Republic of Benin emerged Best Fielder, while Ebuka Edokobi emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Baseball category.
In the Softball category, Joyce Ogbu from Adekalu Bulls carted both Best Fielder and MVP awards.
NAN also reports that Adekalu Bulls and Team Republic of Benin will represent Africa at the Africa-European Little League in Poland in Baseball, while Adekalu Bulls and Team Yenogoa will represent Africa in the Softball contest. (NAN)
