A partnership towards introducing baseball and softball to the grassroots through schools was yesterday, Thursday, April 17, 2025, established between Monisola Makanjuola Foundation (MoniMak Foundation), and the Adewale Ibrahim College of Health Sciences, Buari, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The Chairperson of Board of Trustees, MoniMak foundation and the Vice President-1 of the
Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), Mrs. Makanjuola, who visited the College, as well as the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Kamarudeen Akolade, the Onibuari of Buhari in his Palace said that the move was in line with the development of grassroots to discover new talents, in line with the RHINSE agenda, Renewed Hope in Nigeria for Sports Economy.
While receiving the team, led by the Proprietor of Adewale Ibrahim College of Health Sciences, Professor Afonja Ibrahim Adewale, Oba Kamarudeen blessed the project, which he says, will further develop the community and its environs.
He commended Professor Afonja for opening up the community with the establishment of the College, as he thanked him for breaking new grounds with other youth empowerment initiatives like sports.
Mrs Makanjuola, who presented baseball and softball balls, bat and a glove to the College said that the gesture was the first step towards full implementation of the partnership, as demonstration games and moves that will pave ways towards discovering potentials from the community will be further exploited.
She enjoined the students to take their education very serious, and to do sports, adding that their participation in sports will boost their academic excellence.
“I believe we have numerous talents in this community. We have decided to bring baseball and softball to the grassroots as a form of engagement and talents discovery. It’s a catch them young initiative which we hope to seriously pursue,” said, Makanjuola.
Professor Afonja, who had earlier established a Football Academy, FIBMAL Football Academy in the area, said that it’s a way of giving back to the society, pointing out that education, which is for development, can also be pursued through sports.
He expressed happiness and readiness to be part of the initiative, even as he pledged to build an all encompassing stadium that will accommodate facilities for other sports in the community, as land for the project has already been acquired.
“I am happy, and ready to be part of the project – introduction of baseball and softball here. We also plan to have a Baseball and Softball Academy, and before the year runs out, we will lay the foundation for the stadium, as we already have the land to do that, Afonja added.
Professor Afonja also expressed the desire to partner with Colleges and Clubs in the USA and Euro, to develop the game in the area.
“I will want to thank the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving us this great opportunity”, he asserted. He went further to state that, “I will also want to thank the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Azeez Yakub as well as Oba Kamarudeen Akolade, for their support.”
Professor Afonja equally pledged to stage a major baseball and softball competition in the community next year when the stadium is completed.
