Date: 2016-08-15

The believe that Kwara State is the home of baseball and softball comes to reality again, with the four-day visit of the US Embassy in Nigeria to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to donate more than N30 million worth of baseball and softball equipment to selected baseball and softball clubs in the state recently. The arrangement was facilitated through the collaboration of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and Baseball Tomorrow Academy.

The development was in line with the policy thrust of the State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, which gives adequate priority to grassroots sports development in the state. On arrival in Ilorin, the leader of the U.S Embassy team, Mr. Bob Kerr said the visit was for business, particularly to assess the level of development of sports at the grassroots in the state.

'We are in Ilorin to see how we can establish a strong relationship with Baseball Tomorrow Academy, through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development as the ministry representing Kwara State governor in sports. 'We will, during the course of the program, donate some equipment to clubs in the state, and sensitize students from various secondary schools to show interest in playing baseball and softball in the state, he had said.

At the Government House, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed expressed delight at the US Embassy's gesture, even as he commended the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development as well as Baseball Tomorrow Academy for the fruitful partnership. He said that the synergy will no doubt, reshape baseball and softball in Kwara State and Nigeria. 'Visit like this, most especially from a well developed country like the US, will equally boost the morale of the state government in organizing and hosting local and national championships.

'Your visit is also coming at a time when the state government is looking for ways to improve on baseball and softball development in the state. In his address, the US representative, Mr. Bob Kerr while appreciating the state government, described the state as one that gives opportunity to sports development, adding that that would further encourage them to come to Kwara to complement what the state government has been able to achieve. "We are also here to give our support to Nigerian students who wish to study abroad on an exchange programme, most especially in terms of baseball and softball.

At Sapati International Secondary School, students from over 19 secondary schools in the state, baseball and softball coaches and Staff of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development led by the Hon. Commissioner, Pharmacist. Kale Ayo, the Permanent Secretary, Elder Ayobola Samuel (JP), Director, PFS, Elder Issac Ndagi, Director of Youth, Hajia Aishat Muhammed, Director of Sports, Alhaji Sheu Olushola Abubakar were all in attendance for the lecture, in furtherance of the objectives of the visit.

One of the visitors, Miss Grace Cimon tutored the students on the advantage of learning in the US. According to her, 'The United States of America has been of a great assistance to Students Continuous Education. There is a platform, which has been in existence since the time immemorial and has been a huge benefit to Africa, particularly Nigerian citizens.'

She said that any student can apply through the platform and if considered for admission, can become automatic citizen of the United States of America. 'In America, there is flexibility, where you can find what you want and become what you want in life', she said. Cimon also sensitized the youth on the importance of securing visa or scholarship in US, adding that studying in the US would be a double advantage because students would have the opportunity to study for two different degrees. While explaining further, she urged the students to take their studies serious, as that will afford them the opportunity to achieve their goals in life. She lamented that Nigeria parents always choose courses for their children to study in the universities, pointing out that it's not supposed to be so, because each child has his or her own potential and separate skills in them. On the third day, at the Banquet Hall of the state, the state Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Adeleke Ogungbe reiterated government's resolve to continue to partner individuals and corporate organizations towards the development of youth and sports. In his speech, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Pharmacist Kale Ayo said it is the collaboration between the ministry and Baseball Tomorrow Academy that has resulted in the twin achievement, which was the donation of baseball and softball equipment worth N30 million to the state, and educational talk to students.

'Just as America is regarded as the Mecca and Jerusalem of baseball and softball in the world, Kwara is the home of baseball and softball in Nigeria. The game has produced great players who are now outstanding coaches and administrators in various clubs in the state and country at large', he said. The commissioner commended the efforts of Coach Jide Abidoye, for taking the game to greater level in the state and Nigeria. 'Coach Jide has been the leading light and has used every available opportunity to encourage his players to attend coaching courses at the Nigeria Institute for Sports (NIS) and to God be the glory, most of them are now coaches and administrators at various club', he averred.

He said that Baseball Tomorrow Academy is one of the six Baseball and Softball Clubs in Kwara State. Kwara State has produced great players who had represented the state both at the national and international championships. He reiterated the commitment of the government to sports development, and also used the opportunity to inform the public that the present administration is willing to collaborate with individuals, corporate bodies and organizations to move sports development to the next level.

Among the achievements recorded by the Kwara State Baseball and Softball Association in the state are: silver medal at the All African Games in year 2000 in Ghana, gold medal at the Africa Championship, Ghana 2011, gold medal at the National Sports Festival in Abuja, 2004, silver medal the National Sports Festival (Baseball), Ogun 2006, bronze medal at the National Sports Festival (Baseball), Ogun 2006, silver medal at the National Sports Festival (Baseball), Kaduna 2009, gold medal (Baseball) at North Central Zone League 2009 in Ilorin, gold medal at African championship Softball tournament, Ghana , 2011, gold medal (Baseball) at National U-12 Championship in 2012 Ibadan and gold medal at the Lagos Open U-12 Baseball and Softball Championship, 2013 in Lagos. The state also came second in Super Four final in 2010, Abuja, among other laurels won.

The Vice Chairman of Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association, Mrs. Felicia Kisira, who is also the wife of the state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira commended the state Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed for the honour accorded the team of baseball family.

She stated that the supports being received from Governor Ahmed has helped in the development of the sport in the state and Nigeria. 'To bring this US Embassy to Kwara State was not an easy task. We consulted, arranged and struggled a lot before it was achieved', she said. Peter Imonikhe, the Proprietor of Baseball Tomorrow Academy expressed happiness towards the success of the program. He said that the Embassy was brought to Kwara State simply to promote baseball and softball in the state. 'The purpose was basically to reduce the level of unemployment, to equip the youth on how to be self sustained and be useful to the society through becoming a baseball and softball players.

According to him 'The Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and Baseball Tomorrow Academy have the intention of organizing U-17 Baseball and Softball competition before the year runs out. The competition is aimed at encouraging the youth to pick interest in baseball and softball. At the final programme, baseball and softball players from different clubs gathered at the Baseball and Softball pitch at the Cherubim and Seraphim College, Sabo-Oke Ilorin, to display their skills in the sport.

Mr Bob Kerr, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Pharmacist Kale Ayo, the Permanent Secretary, Elder Ayobola Samuel, other staff of the Ministry, coaches and administrators as well as members of the Baseball Tommorrow Academy were on hand to watch the wonderful display by the clubs. Winners were given special recognitions based on their performance. The train later moved to the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to pay royal homage. And from there, they went to Baseball Park in Adewole to examine the condition of the park.

The official presentation of the donated items was latter done at the office of the Hon. Commissioner of Sorts and Youth Development, Pharmacist Kale Ayo to three clubs in the state. Coach Influence Gwede received for Slider Baseball and Softball Club, Coach Kayode Olu-Ayo received for Revelation Baseball and Softball Club, while Coach Gbenga Aluko received for Double T' Baseball and Softball Club.

Onilu is the Press Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

Source: HeraldNews