Nigeria wins maiden Little League Baseball, Softball competition

Nigeria’s representative at the first West Africa Little League tournament, Lagos-based Adekalu Bulls, at the weekend, won the Baseball and Softball categories of the event.

Adekalu Bulls warded off opposition from Republic of Benin and Cote d’Ivoire and four other Nigerian teams to emerge champions in the four-day tournament.

Team Benin Republic came second, while Team Cote d’Ivoire came third in the baseball category.

In the softball category, Adekalu Bulls beat another Lagos-based team, Rak Angels, to the second position, while Team Yenagoa came third.

The four-day tournament was held at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos.

The Tournament Director, Kehinde Laniyan, said the maiden West Africa Little League tournament brought together baseball and junior foftball teams, players and officials from across West Africa.

“This tournament was approved by the Little League International in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, America and this is a historic moment, as Nigeria played host to other West African countries 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 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, including Ade Taiwo and Armstrong Ogwuiche,” he said.

Also speaking at the end of the event, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Intergovernmental Relations and Special Duties, Omobolaji Ogunlende, praised the officials for keeping the flag of the game flying even though it is little known in Nigeria.

“The officials have 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 in other advanced countries, so we have a duty to ensure adequate sponsorship of the game,” he said.