After five days of exciting competition, De Wills Softball Club of Bayelsa State on Thursday July 30, 2026, emerged champions of the 4th MoniMak Softball Championship, defeating host side Team Kwara 12-4 in a thrilling final played at the Kwara State Baseball Park, Adewole, Ilorin.
Earlier in the day, RAK Angels of Badagry, Lagos State secured third place with a convincing 9-4 victory over MoniMak in the bronze medal encounter.
The championship, which featured nine clubs from across the country, once again lived up to its reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost platforms for grassroots talent discovery and player development.
Throughout the tournament, several promising young players caught the attention of officials of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA) and the Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association, reinforcing the competition’s growing importance in the development of the sport.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the sponsor of the championship, Mrs. Monisola Yemisi Makanjuola, expressed satisfaction with the successful organisation of the fourth edition and thanked the Kwara State Government, the Kwara State Sports Commission, the NBSA, the Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association, the Local Organising Committee (LOC), participating clubs and other stakeholders for their unwavering support.
“I am fulfilled with what we have achieved so far, especially with the successful completion of the fourth edition of the championship. I sincerely appreciate the State Government, the Sports Commission, the NBSA, the Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association, the LOC and all the participating teams for their support.
“It has been a worthwhile experience, and we will continue to build on this foundation. We are not just playing the game; we are raising a new generation of baseball and softball stars,” she said.
Chairman of the LOC, Mallam Dúró Sanni (Falcao), also commended Mrs. Makanjuola for her unwavering commitment to the growth of baseball and softball in Nigeria, describing the championship as a major investment in youth and sports development.
“We are not there yet, but we are making remarkable progress. I sincerely thank our sponsor, Mrs. Monisola Yemisi Makanjuola, for sustaining this noble initiative. We look forward to having even more clubs and greater participation in future editions,” he said.
The participating clubs were Team Profound (Oyo State), De Wills (Bayelsa State), MoniMak, Team Kwara, Honours Softball Club, LED Warriors (Lagos State), RAK Angels (Badagry, Lagos State), Diplomatic Dodgers (Abuja) and ABYSEF (Kwara State).
Aside from lifting the championship trophy, the top three teams received cash prizes of ₦200,000, ₦150,000 and ₦100,000 respectively, while all participating teams were presented with certificates of participation.
Individual honours went to Divine Meiseigha of De Wills (Best Batter), Rebecca Awaji of De Wills (Best Infielder), Olaitan Moricha of LED Warriors (Best Upcoming Pitcher), Awoyinka Phoebe of MoniMak (Best Catcher), Precious Obidare of MoniMak (Best Pitcher) and Ifeoluwa Kayode of De Wills, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Eight distinguished personalities were also honoured for their outstanding contributions to the growth of baseball and softball in Nigeria. They included Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Mrs. Serah Bola Esan, Justice Lambo Akanbi (represented by the General Manager of Emirate Hotel, Mr. Samuel Folorunsho Richard), Blessed Osmosis, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji (represented by Board member Mallam Yinusa Lade), Chairman of the Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association, Alhaji Young Abdul, Secretary of the NBSA, Robert Anthony, and the Association’s Development Secretary, Omotosho Adeola.
Among the dignitaries present at the closing ceremony were the Secretary of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Haruna Tsado, Board member Dele Abubakar, Mallam Tunde Kazeem and his wife, Mallam Hameed Adio, OLY, Chief Mrs. Abimbola Olaoye, Mr. Femi Robert, Mrs. Charity Kadiri of Triumph Kiddies School, Ga’a Akanbi, Dr. (Mrs.) Rofiat Dauda of the University of Ilorin, Hajia Afusat Adeoye, Head of Organising at the Kwara State Sports Commission, Administrator of the Kwara Football Academy, Wale Obalola, Hajia Hadiza Mohammed, and other sports enthusiasts.
The successful staging of the fourth edition further cemented the MoniMak Softball Championship as one of Nigeria’s leading developmental competitions, providing a platform for discovering future national team players while strengthening the growth of baseball and softball across the country.
