LAGOS– Players at the Ayangburen U-15 Baseball and Softball Championships on Saturday called for more competitions to prepare them for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised by Baseline Foundation to mark the one year coronation of the Oba of Ikorodu, Kabiru Shotobi.
NAN reports that the International Olympic Committee had on Aug. 5 announced the return of baseball and softball back to the Olympics.
The players, who spoke to NAN at the Igbobi College venue of the competition, said it was coming at the right time.
Kehinde Oyeyemi from Kwara said that the competition had impacted positively on his skills.
Oyeyemi said that having regular competitions would help to discover talents that would represent the country in Tokyo Olympmpic Games in 2020.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for me and I am happy to be part of it, hopefully, I want to participate in more of these competitions,’’ he said.
Racheal Udenenwu, a pitcher from Lagos State, told NAN that the competition was a major eye opener for her.
Udenenwu commended the organisers and urged other baseball and softball foundation to come up with more competitions to engage players.
“This is my first time playing with players from other states and it has afforded me the opportunity to know new things about the sport,’’ she said.
Also, Adekunle Adebayo a player from Oyo State, said competitions like this could be used to identify and nurture players for the 2020 Games.
“Now is the time to start preparing for our participation in the 2020 Olympics,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, in the softball event, the Kwara female team emerged the overall winner after winning all their matches played in the round robin format.
Other teams that participated in the softball events are Lagos, Oyo and Rivers.
The competition which commenced on Aug. 4 will end on Saturday.