Baseball, Softball: Adekalu Bulls seek financial support for international tournament

Nigeria’s Baseball and Softball teams, the Adekalu Bulls, are appealing for financial support ahead of the upcoming Little League International tournaments in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

Kehinde Laniyan, the Tournament Director of West African Little League, made this appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

Laniyan, who provided an update on the team’s preparations ahead of the tournaments scheduled for June and July, he, however, said the teams needed financial support to participate in the tournament.

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NAN reports that Adekalu Bulls made history three years ago when they secured a spot to represent Africa at the European Cadet Baseball and Softball Tournament in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

The Adekalu Bulls’ Baseball and Softball teams will represent Nigeria in the U-16 Softball and U-14 Baseball categories.

However, due to the financial demands of logistics and travel arrangements—covering 14 players for each category—Laniyan appealed for assistance from well-meaning Nigerians.

“The Little League tournament in Europe this June and July will serve as qualifiers for the globally renowned Little League World Series in the United States, the biggest youth sports program in the world,” he explained.

“This will be our first time sending a team to Europe. The baseball team will compete in the Czech Republic, while the softball team will head to the Netherlands.

“We have been working towards this for a while, playing local tournaments to earn the qualification ticket. The ultimate goal is to advance to the next level, which is the European competition.

“After that, we can push for qualification to the World Series in the U.S.,” Laniyan added.

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In a separate interview, Tope Alabi, President of Adekalu Bulls, highlighted the immense benefits of Nigeria’s participation in the cadet championships.

“The goal is to expose these kids to international competition. Baseball is a multi-billion-dollar sport in the U.S. and many other parts of the world,” Alabi said.

“We believe that exposing our young players to global competition will have a ripple effect, boosting the development of the sport in Nigeria.

“We have been working closely with the federation to make this a reality. Now that the opportunity has come again, the kids are ready.

“However, we are currently facing financial constraints, and we urgently appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to support this trip,” he added.

Alabi assured that the team had a strong foundation and was well-prepared for the challenge ahead.

“We earned this qualification three years ago and have been training consistently since then. The kids are physically and mentally ready for the competition.

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“We have played against the West African regional team from Benin Republic.

“While we are not guaranteeing immediate qualification, it is not impossible. What we are certain of is that our players will make a strong statement during the tournament.

“There is no doubt that the team will make a big impact. They have been together for three years, and to further strengthen their preparation, we have brought in a coach from Canada,” he revealed.

Alabi further disclosed that Canadian coach Yolande Charles had been contracted to provide technical expertise, working alongside the team’s local coaches.

“Competing at the highest level in Europe will provide our players with invaluable exposure. They are not going there as spectators but as serious competitors.

“I am confident that our team will surprise the world with their performance. We hope to develop professional baseball players from this group.

“Uganda is already sending players to the U.S. and Europe, and we believe Nigeria has even greater talent that can surpass them.

“The U.S. has established a team and academy in Uganda, and I strongly believe it is now Nigeria’s turn to attract such investment,” he concluded.