Badagry Angels clinch maiden Junior U-15 Softball tournament

Posted : 16 November 2024

After one week of intensive competition, Badagry Angels emerged as champions of the maiden Junior U-15 Softball tournament on Friday.

Badagry Angels defeated Rak Angels 9-1 in a one-sided final held at the Badagry Grammar School in Lagos.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

The competition, sponsored by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), was organized by the state as part of its efforts to encourage sports inclusivity at the grassroots level.

Earlier, in the third-place match, Kosoko Girls defeated SHS Angels 8-3 at the same venue.

The well-attended final saw officials from the LSSC and Badagry residents who came out in large numbers to cheer the teams.

Speaking on the sidelines of the finals, the Director of Sports Development at LSSC, Nunayo Travih, said that the grassroots softball development competition was part of the state government’s sports initiative.

“We have seen a lot of potential in the kids during the one-week competition, with the final being the climax of the event,” he said.

“We had earlier sent out our coaches to develop the sport of softball, which has been ongoing for six months before the competition, so the cumulative effect is what led to the creation of the tournament.”

“The results of the investment have been outstanding, allowing the children to compete, gain experience, and understand the competitiveness of the game.”

“We have discovered a good number of talents who need to be further developed so they can be properly harnessed for the next youth games in Asaba 2025,” he added.

Travih noted that the Lagos State government was working tirelessly to ensure grassroots sports development across the state.

“We have mapped out divisions in the state for various sports, so we know the locations, areas, and environments where different sports skills can be developed based on personality traits and historical connections.”

“We have had boxing in Mushin, while Badagry hosted softball. We will have cricket in both the mainland and island areas, and next week, we will host sports for the blind at Teslim Balogun Stadium,” he said.

The captain of Badagry Angels, Ifeoluwa Oluwafemi, expressed excitement over winning the competition.

“I feel very excited to be part of the winning team. The training is always fun, and we do it every Saturday,” she said.

“My plan is to be a good player and get noticed around the world, showing that there are great players in Nigeria. We’ve already won many medals, around five in the past.”

“Softball consists of nine players on the field, including the catcher, pitcher, first, second, and third base, center field, and others,” Oluwafemi explained.

“The pitcher is the father of the game, while the catcher is the mother. It also involves teamwork, collaboration, and other essential skills,” she added.

Oluwafemi mentioned that the game of softball has helped them stay fit, and the team is looking forward to even greater achievements in the future.

The winner of the competition, Badagry Angels, walked away with N150,000, while the second-place team, Rak Angels, received N100,000, and the third-place team, Kosoko, earned a N75,000 cash prize.

Badagry Angels clinch maiden Junior U-15 Softball tournament

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics