Badagry Angels have been crowned champions of the Lagos U-15 Softball Championship held at the Badagry Grammar School playing field, Badagry.
The 5 day tournament which began on November 11, 2024, reached its climax on Friday, November 15, where eight teams participated in the event designed to drive the growth of the sport at the grassroots level.
As Champions of the tournament, Badagry Angels showcased their dexterity and skills against Rak Angels in the grand finale, maintaining their good position and dominance on the field before finally trouncing their opponents 9 runs to 1.
The grit and agility exhibited by Badagry Angels on the pitch testified to the power of how to command the ball, forging valuable connections as well as making calculative runs on the pitch.
Speaking after the presentation of medals to the champions, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu represented by the Director Sports Development, Travih Nunayon, highlighted the significance of the tournament, bringing softball game closer to the suburb in an effort to expand and implement Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cardinal programme of inclusivity of all Lagosians, irrespective of their location, distance or community.
Fatodu stated that “We have mapped out the five divisions with the intention to know the sports that are peculiar to different communities and to provide opportunities for every community to engage in sports and to further contribute to the growth of identified talents in achieving their potential.
Its been a long journey of six month cumulative training of our coaches, working with the various students in their various schools, which we’ve tried to form clubs, grow these athletes and increase the level of their interest”, Fatodu stated.
Member, Lagos State Sports Commission Board, Saidi Olanrewaju, said the developmental championship is in line with the THEMES + agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s to reinvigorate sports and youth development at the grassroots level.
Olanrewaju noted that the event provides the right platform for budding talents to exhibit their skills in the softball game, stressing that the tournament is a deliberate effort to develop grassroots sports. He assured that the state will continue to expose upcoming talents to championships, to horn their skills and improve their performance.
Captain of Badagry Angels, Ifeoluwa Oluwafemi expressed excitement with the opportunity provided for the girls to compete and thanked the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Association.
“I feel very, very excited. I’m happy for leading my team to a successful softball championship, here in Badagry”.
After a successful outing in Badagry, Oluwafemi, a third baser revealed that she looks forward to becoming a professional player in softball, adding that part of her plans is to showcase her talents across the world and compete at the international level and play among professionals.
While Rak Angels finished as the 1st runners-up following their gallant display in the girls tournament, Kosoko Team ended up as the 3rd place winners.
Alia Olatunde from Rak Angels got the award of the best catcher while Koku Yemaise from SHS went home with the best pitcher award and Kuton Seseyon from Badagry Grammar School awarded the best in-fielder to complete the three best positions.
