Sports
The Pepedem Team on Friday defeated Team Mafo by 14 runs to 12 runs to emerge winners of the U-15 Girls Softball League.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a tie in 4th inning and the match went into extra Inning before Pepedem Team emerged winners.
Eagle Eye defeated Braves to come 3rd.
NAN reports that four teams participated in the league and they were drafted from the seven softball leagues in Ibadan.
The leagues are: Bishop Phillips Academy Braves, Excellers Little League, CHS Alegongo, Little League, MSS Little League, MHS Little League, Acumen Little League, District 01 Little League
The four drafted teams were: Team Mafo, Team Pepedem, Braves and Eagle Eye.
Victory Ogunsesan, the captain Pepedem Team ascribed their victory to hardwork and team work.
Ogunsesan said that they all played a collective role in winning the competition.
“We all did well and that’s why we were able to win. We played according to instructions and motivated one another. We thank God for this day, he indeed rewarded our hardwork with victory,”she said
Meanwhile, Kehinde Laniyan, the Secretary-General, Nigeria Baseball Softball Association said that the essence of the league is to develop competitions at the grassroots level and coordinate trainings.
“These four teams were drafted from the seven leagues from schools here in Ibadan. With the advent of COVID-19, training reduced seriously and that’s why we collapsed the League into four teams so there could be competitiveness.
“These young athletes are endowed with skills and talents. I can tell you their skills have really improved because I come around to watch them train and I used to feel really disappointed.
“ In the last five weeks that we’ve played the league I observed that they have really upped their game and it’s far better than what it used to be.
“With more regular competitions and training I foresee them becoming way more better and excelling well in the sport. In the course of this tournament I have spotted many extraordinary players who are very promising,” he said.
Laniyan added that there are lots of room for improvement on the players.
“ I’m in touch with their coaches and I point out areas that needs to be worked on. With consistent training and tournaments theirskills and style of play will be perfect,” he said.
NAN also reports that softball is a modified form of baseball played on a smaller field, with a larger, softer ball, seven rather than nine innings and underarm pitching.
The game evolved in the U.S. in the late 19th century from a form of indoor baseball.(NAN)
– Dec. 4, 2020 @ 17:36 GMT |
