International Official calls for Baseball/Softball structure in Nigeria to engender development

Posted : 17 April 2023

An International Field Officer for world Baseball Softball Confederation, Lanre Bolarinwa has called on the stakeholders in sports to formulate an endearing structure that would see to the development of the game in Nigeria.

The Melbourne, Australia-based Bolarinwa made the call in an interview with Africa Sport Network (ASN) on the sidelines of the West Africa Little League tournament held in Lagos.

Lagos is playing host to the maiden edition of the West Africa Little League tournament ongoing at Igbobi College.

The West Africa Little League tournament was kicked off with two African country, Cote de Ivoire and Togo in attendance among other six teams in Nigeria.

Bolarinwa contended that Nigeria had the raw talents to make that can be counted on the international scene, but lack of structure had been the bane of the development of Softball/Baseball in the country.

``Nigeria is blessed with abundance of talents, even from what I have witnessed in the short time seeing the children play in the Little League which is the foundation of the game anywhere in the world.

``Unfortunately, we have not done much in having a good structure because we still leave everything to government to sponsor.

``We can raise talents out of Nigeria that can play as professionals abroad just like what we have in football, what we need is good infrastructure and right structure to develop the game.

``We have materials just like what we have seen the children displayed, but the question is, can these children compete with those in the Europe? This is a begging question,'' he queried.

Bolarinwa added that the maiden West Africa Little League tournament could be the spring board needed to launch the game to limelight in Nigeria.

``Baseball/Softball have good presence in developed countries and even in America, all of the past President passed through the Little League competition including, Barak Obama.

``Now, the game is gaining momentum in Nigeria and we need to do more and encourage the game among the young ones who can play professionally abroad.

``I have helped in introducing Baseball/Softball in some African states and the game is gaining momentum in some Southern African countries,'' he said.

A coach from Bayelsa State, Benson Asekomah described the competition as timely when the players were looking for exposure.

``This competition is timely because we need exposure of our players and it can not be better than what we are having now.

``We have been having good trainings for our players over the years, the parents have been supportive as well releasing their children to us.

``We have players that can match their counterparts in other parts of the world, what they need is exposure which we are giving them now,'' he said.

International Official calls for Baseball/Softball structure in Nigeria to engender development

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