- Championship kicked off by Magaji
The 3rd edition of MoniMak Global Softball Championship kicked-off today, at the Baseball Park, Ilorin, as the National Technical Director of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), Coach Jide Oloyinka Abidoye said that efforts are being intensified to get the Association Federated.
Four states, host Kwara, Bayelsa, Osun and Ondo states will compete for honours, which the sponsor, Mrs. Monisola Yemisi Makanjuola said was both an awareness and talent discovery platform, with schools as catchment areas.
At a Press Conference ahead of the kick-off, MoniMak, who is the Vice President, NBSA in charge of Softball added that it’s also a preparatory arrangement for a larger championship both at the state and the national level.
The Championship is being organised in collaboration with the Kwara State Sports Commission and the State Baseball and Softball Association.
The first edition held in 2021, the second in 2023, all of which had impact and positive change to the state, as MoniMak said the latest edition was to announce complete revival of the game in the state.
In his own address, Coach Abodoye expressed delight with the revival of the game in the state and others, adding that it will assist the NBSA to fast track its bid to get Federated.
“As we plan to get Federated, we need more competitions and leagues. With this, our standard in terms of technicalities and otherwise will improve.
He said that NBSA is also leveraging on the coming of the ex-players into the administration of the game, pointing out that all necessary documentations will soon be completed, as baseball and softball will feature in the next National Sports Festival in Enugu state.
Coach Abidoye is a leading figure in promoting baseball and softball in Kwara State, which is considered a hub for the sports, and Nigeria.
He’s the pioneer state and national baseball and softball coach, and recognized for his efforts in taking the sport to a higher level and encouraging players to pursue coaching certifications.
The Chief Executive Officer of Honours Intercontinental Concepts Limited, Godwin Anaekwe was honoured by the organiser of the Championship, for his support for the development of baseball and softball.
Host Kwara lost the opening match of the Championship 7-8 to Ondo state. The game continues tomorrow, and the final holds on Saturday July 19, 2025.
The Championship was kicked off by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji.
On ground to witness the opening ceremony are the Secretary of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Haruna Tsado, Godwin Anaekwe of Honours Intercontinental Concepts Limited, Comrade Oloyin Bolaji Lateef, who is the Secretary of the State Association, Coach Toba Alegbe, Coach Oluayo Kayode, Coach Yusuf Omowumi Iyabo, who is the State Softball Coach, and others.
Meanwhile, the Proprietor of Adewale Ibrahim College of Health Sciences, Professor Ibrahim Adewale Afonja has commended the sponsor of the Championship, Mrs. Monisola Yemisi Makanjuola for creating the platform for the discovery of new talents.
Professor Afonja, who has also established Baseball and Softball Academy in his school, which is based in Buari, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state pledged to continue to support the sports.
