By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    3 weeks ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    3 weeks ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    4 weeks ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    4 weeks ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    4 weeks ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Kagame, Jonathan, Others To Receive African Icon Award In Kigali
    3 years ago
    Human Rights Watch
    Uganda: Human Rights Watch Kicks As Govt Set To Criminalise Gay
    2 years ago
    Putin Gifts Zimbabwe’s President A Helicopter
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    At Gender Statistics Forum, African Leaders Urge Renewed Commitment To Quality Gender Data
    3 weeks ago
    Ooni’s Wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Takes Ile Ife Royalty To ADWIN Launch In Cote d’Ivoire
    1 month ago
    Independent UN Body Finds Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent
    2 months ago
    Public Exit: Why South Africa Businesses Are Moving To Private Cloud
    2 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Osun Lawmakers: We’re Ready To Work With Governor Adeleke
    2 years ago
    Monimitchelle’s Boss, Ebi Egbe Congratulates Sanwo-Olu On His Re-Election 
    2 years ago
    Adeleke’s Government is fully committed to development of Osun State – Odejobi
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Gov Adeleke’s Outburst Against Aregbesola Shows Sign Of A Drowning Man – ADC Group
    1 week ago
    Youth Party Releases Primary Election Guidelines Ahead of August 16 Bye-Elections
    2 weeks ago
    Youth Party Appreciate Voters, Rejects Lagos Council Polls, Alleges Widespread Rigging
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos LG Poll: APC’s Osagie Daniel Coasting Home To Victory In Amuwo Odofin’s Ward K
    2 weeks ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Retrospect: A Historic Inaugural Meeting of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA
    19 hours ago
    BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Abdullahi Bashir Haske Over Alleged Money Laundering and Corruption
    2 days ago
    X3M Ideas, SO&U, Noah’s Ark, Others Shine At AAAN Gala Night
    6 days ago
    CAPPA Condemns UI’s Suspension Of Student Activists, Urges Reinstatement
    2 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Nigeria’s Glo(W)Ing Entertainment Industry: 19 Years Of Strategic Partnership
    3 years ago
    2023 Polls: Stay Tuned To These Channels On GOtv For Breaking News And Analysis 
    2 years ago
    Family, Friends Celebrate As Princess Zara Raji Turns Two
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Unlock More for Less as Big Brother Naija Season 10 Beckons
    6 days ago
    Purp vs Raymu: Who Will Be Crowned The Next Nigerian Idol?
    3 weeks ago
    Local Content Powers African Dreams
    3 weeks ago
    The Drama Returns As BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ Reunion Premieres June 23
    1 month ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Ilara-Epe Kingdom To Confer Chieftaincy Title On Trinidad and Tobago Envoy
    2 years ago
    Bishop Emmanuel Tasks Christians Worldwide On Dedication To God’s Service, As Blood Of Jesus Ministry Holds Ordination For Church Officers
    2 years ago
    Carnival Of Peace: Preparation Begins For The Mainland White Carnival In Lagos
    7 months ago
    Latest News
    Noble Call to Service: Inside the Induction of 104 New Knights of St. Mulumba
    1 month ago
    Joining The Knighthood Brings You Closer To God -Sir Eva Njemanze
    1 month ago
    Africa Tech Festival Unveils Strategic Themes For 2025 Event,
    1 month ago
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    2 months ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Petralon's Nigerian Drilling Campaign to Boost Offshore Oil Output
    Petralon’s Nigerian Drilling Campaign To Boost Offshore Oil Output
    3 weeks ago
    Year 2025
    How Nigeria Can Unleash Its Economic Potential – IMF
    3 weeks ago
    GTCO Plc Becomes 1st West Africa’s Financial Services Institution To Achieve Listing And Trading Of Its Ordinary Shares On London Stock Exchange
    3 weeks ago
    Unity Bank
    Unity Bank Empowers Young Entrepreneurs With ₦16M Business Grant
    3 weeks ago
    NNPCL Board Accused Of Planning Lavish Party In Rwanda Amidst N210tn Financial Scandal
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    ICN 2023: National Nursing Associations To Share Cutting-edge Case Studies At Montreal Congress
    2 years ago
    Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital & Diagnostics Center
    ‘Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital & Diagnostics Center, A Wake-Up Call To Ondo State Indigenes To Give Back To The Society’
    2 years ago
    Why Many Women Opt For Plastic Surgery – Surgeon
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    AIDS Society Welcomes US Bipartisan Move To Protect PEPFAR
    7 days ago
    SSB Tax: Industry Actors, Paid Mouthpieces Slammed Over Campaign To Stop CAPPA
    3 weeks ago
    CAPPA Warns Nigerians On Excessive Consumption Of Sugar-sweetened Beverages, Says Nigeria Is In The Throes Of Public Health Crisis
    3 weeks ago
    Rising Non-communicable Diseases: WHO Wants Higher Taxes For Sugary Drinks, Alcohol, Tobacco
    3 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Why I Introduced Baseball Into Nigeria – Gen. Ishola Williams (Rtd)
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Sports > Why I Introduced Baseball Into Nigeria – Gen. Ishola Williams (Rtd)
Sports

Why I Introduced Baseball Into Nigeria – Gen. Ishola Williams (Rtd)

Last updated: 2024/08/20 at 6:02 PM
11 months ago
Share
SHARE

GENERAL ISHOLA WILLIAMS (Rtd) is credited to be the first man who introduced baseball to Nigeria. He was the first National Chairman of the Nigeria Baseball & Softball Association and also regarded as the grandfather of baseball in Nigeria. Ishola who has a knack for the development of baseball and other sports in Nigeria was at the just concluded Baseball5 Western Regional championship at the NIS Sports Complex Gymnasium of National Stadium. In this interview, he spoke exclusively with JOSEPH ODOEKWU about the troubles encountered by baseball and other sports in Nigeria. Excerpts

Sir, what were your reasons for the introduction of baseball in Nigeria?

At that time when I introduced baseball in Nigeria, there were three main reasons. The first was that I wanted to create an opportunity for young Nigerian athletes who were good enough in baseball to go to the United States and school and also play baseball there, just like it is in basketball and other sports that originated from the United States of America. The second reason was that it affords the athlete an opportunity to become professionals while being athletes in the United States and some other parts of Asia, while the third reason was that I wanted Nigeria to compete favourably with South Africa in baseball which is the best team in Africa today and so that our players can benefit from all the opportunities that comes with baseball.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Were you able to achieve these goals?

Unfortunately these goals were not achieved and it is because of the obstacles in Nigeria

What are these obstacles, can you be elaborate sir?

The obstacles basically have to do with the Nigerian system and how it works, and that was why those goals were not achieved. And till date, those obstacles that hindered the realization of those goals are still affecting other sports in Nigeria and that is very bad. And that is why till today Nigeria is dependent on foreign-based players to play for the country. If you look at the basketball team that played for Nigeria at the Olympics, they are all based abroad and the same thing applies to even our football. In fact, if we take the government away from football today, football will die in Nigeria and yet football has been in Nigeria for nearly 100 years, but yet we are not ashamed. We think we are playing football, and we want to win the World Cup? We can never win the World Cup.

What other obstacle is affecting baseball development in Nigeria?

Another obstacle affecting baseball development in Nigeria is equipment, because when you look at baseball and softball in Nigeria the equipment is not made in Nigeria. So we have to buy them from abroad and they do not come cheap. We need baseball playgrounds also, even though today we are lucky we have a baseball park in Ilorin which is of international standard, but are they maintaining it? And with all efforts we made to manufacture baseball materials in Nigeria, but people are not ready to help. So there are so many obstacles impeding baseball and sports development in Nigeria and those obstacles are still there. The obstacles are at the state, federal and even at the local government levels. There are directors of sports, ministers of sports that all they do is to squander the money, that’s all. And they want us to win, they are joking. If there are no professional sports in Nigeria managed by the private sector or rich individuals, we are not going to get anywhere in sports.

Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd.)

Has the play of baseball met your expectations in Nigeria?

Of course it has not met my expectations and it will never meet with the rate at which we are going. And I do not blame those who succeeded me because it is not easy to overcome the challenges and obstacles that are in Nigeria. Secondly, when you turn on your television or go to the pages of the newspapers, it is football you see mostly and maybe they manage to squeeze a page for other sports. Even if you look at the basketball that did well at this Olympics, the media gave them temporary coverage and as soon as this Olympics is over, you will not hear anything again about D’Tigress. It is Football! Football!! Football!!! In fact, even in coverage of football in Nigeria, the main focus is on European leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga and others all over the place. Where is the room for other sports? And the truth is if you do not show other sports they cannot become popular. This requires common sense but I have found out that even the journalists go to where they will get paid, and I really cannot blame them because they have to earn a living. But they have also forgotten that they can grow with a sport.

Thank you very much sir for your time

You are welcome

You Might Also Like

Friendly Match: Ajuwa Coach Celebrates After Beating Prince Kazeem Eletu

Roman Reigns Set to Face Paul Heyman as WWE Raw Heats Up on GOtv

U-15 Prince Gas Cup: Heavy Sanctions Awaits Teams That Contravene Rules, Says Gbadamosi

Sanwo-Olu Visits Monaco, As Lagos Set To Host First-ever E1 Racing Championship In October

Orimoloye Advocates For Physical and Mental Well-being As Participants Storm Keep-Fit-Lagos 8.0

TAGGED: Gen. Ishola Williams (Rtd), Nigeria Baseball & Softball Association
INadminNG August 20, 2024 August 20, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Unity Bank Champions Digital Literacy and Innovation for Youth Empowerment 
Next Article BUA Foods To Expand Its Wheat Flour Milling Capacity To 2.5million MTpa, Signs Agreement With IMAS Of Türkiye
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?