Ayangburen Baseball, Softball Championships: Little league players appeal for regular competitions
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Little league players
NAN-S-7
Baseball
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Aug. 24, 2018 (NAN) Some U-13 players at the ongoing 2nd Ayangburen U-13 and U-17 National Baseball and Softball Championships in Lagos have appealed for more age-grade competitions to grow in the sport.
The players, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended the organisers for the inclusion of U-13 category in the championships and for the timing of competition started on Aug. 21.
NAN reports that the maiden edition of the championships which started in 2016 as an U-17 competition was organised by Baseline Foundation to promote baseball and softball in the country.
Folly Adognon, a 12-year-old who plays for Ninetale Baseball and Softball Club of Lagos, said he was happy to be part of the championships.
Adognon said that the championship had afforded him the opportunity to learn from other young players, adding that more of such competitions would help to improve his skill in the sport.
“So far so good, the competition is impactful for me and I hope we will have more of this so that other and I can improve our skills,’’ he said.
Blessing Hassan, also a 12-year-old player in Owena Baseball and Softball Club, Akure, told NAN that competition was much tougher compared to the ones she had participated in.
“I have represented my club in Abuja, Ilorin and Ibadan but this one is different because we have more teams playing.
“Participating in more championships will help a lot of little league players like myself,’’ the pitcher said.
For 13-year-old Joseph Folaranmi, a member of Revelations Baseball and Softball Club team of Ilorin said the matches of the championships were more challenging and interesting for him.
“The organisers have done a good job by including the U-13 category in the competition and the timing is perfect for us because we are on vacation,’’ he said.
Another player, Kolapo Ayomide, 12, who plays for Excel Baseball and Softball Club of Ibadan, appealed to the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association to organise regular championships for little leagues.
NAN reports that 16 clubs are taking part in the championships holding at Effortwill Academy in Ejigbo area of Lagos.
NAN also reports that the competition was organised to mark the 3rd anniversary of Oba Kabiru Shotobi of Ikorodu Kingdom on throne. It will end on Saturday. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)
