JOSEPH ODOEKWU
A former boss of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuike has disclosed that she does not want football to die but wants Baseball to become the second most preferred sports in Nigeria.
The former NSE boss disclosed this during a chat with journalists on Sunday during the final of Western Regional Baseball5 Championship which took place at the NIS Sports Complex Gymnasium inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
“We know that football is our most preferred sport in Nigeria” she started. “We don’t want it to die”. “But we want baseball to become Nigeria’s second most preferred sports”.
“I have lived in the United States of America and see how baseball is”. “Baseball is a beautiful game and I know that if we nurture it very well here in Nigeria it will become Nigeria’s second most preferred”.
The former NSE boss further added that she has been using her contacts to support baseball in Nigeria and that was the main reason she abandoned lots of activities to be here for this event.
She regretted that her effort and that of others who have been behind the growth and development of baseball in Nigeria has not yielded their desired result, even though baseball is now known.
“We know that the knowledge of baseball has improved in Nigeria, but its current awareness is not up to our expectations”.”But we shall continue to give our best to ensure that its awareness continues”.
Professor Okereke further charged the media to do their best in publicizing baseball in Nigeria, and also assured them that baseball shall be adequately carried along in her development but pleaded that the media also need to understand that the activities of baseball in Nigeria is funded by individuals who have passion for it without much budget.
