Kwara State government has reiterated its resolve to continue to support the development of baseball and softball, even as it charged Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association, as well its stakeholders to maximise the usage of the opportunity being provided.
The Governor made the call while declaring the 1st Honours Independent National Baseball League open, at the Adewole Baseball Park in Ilorin, today Monday April 7, 2025.
Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji, the Governor said that the facility was the first to be renovated in the early part of his administration, adding that other repairs at the Park, touted as the Best in Africa, will be done, very soon.
He observed that the development of the game, as well as its reintroduction to the National Sports Festival will be achieved if the sport is federated.
While commending the sponsor, Anaekwe Gideon Godwin for championing the revival of the sport, he charged others to emulate him, adding that the gesture will aid connection, encouragement and motivation for the players and the officials.
The First Vice President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo thanked the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the sponsor, for their unwavering support for the game, even as he commended the participating states for their sacrifice.
The sponsor, Anaekwe Gideon Godwin, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Honours Intercontinental Concepts Limited, Ilorin said that his motivation to support the sport was based on the love he has for it.
“I was motivated to sponsor this competition because of the love I have for the sport, especially based on the fact that I played the game between 1991 and 1992.
While he pledged to do more for the sport, he added that the competition will henceforth, be an annual event, as a way of giving back to the game he played and loved so much.
He commended Governor AbdulRazaq, the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Magaji for their support for the game, and the competition.
Five states, including host Kwara are competing for honours in the competition that is being staged on Dual Round Robin System. In the opening game, Bayelsa state team defeated their Oyo state counterparts 21 runs to two, at the end of the third inning.
Five matches have been slated to hold tomorrow. Kwara will take on Delta state in the first game, beginning from 8.00am, while other matches will follow. Bayelsa will tackle Ondo, Oyo will square up against Kwara, Delta will tackle Bayelsa, while the last game of the day will be between Ondo and Oyo.
The final comes up on Saturday.
The tournament will feature a ₦300,000 star prize for the champion, while the second and third-placed teams will receive ₦200,000 and ₦100,000, respectively, alongside medals and trophies.
