Badagry Angels have been crowned champions of the Lagos U-15 Softball Championship held recently at the Badagry Grammar School playing field, Badagry.
The five-day tournament, which began on November 11, 2024, ended on Friday, November 15 where eight teams participated in the competition 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.
Speaking after the presentation of medals to the champions, the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu highlighted the significance of the tournament, which is bringing softball game closer to the suburb, to expand and implement Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cardinal programme of inclusivity of all Lagosians, irrespective of their location, distance or community.
Represented at the event by the Director of Sports Development, Travih Nunayon, the DG said, “We have mapped out the five divisions 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.
“It’s 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 Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration 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 hone 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.
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, the Kosoko Team ended up as the third-place winner.
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 was awarded the best in-fielder for completing the three best positions.
