A first batch of Chairmen of Football Associations of States in Nigeria will fly out of Nigeria on Thursday for a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation praised the FROT Group, ZENITH Bank PLC and ARIK Airline for their sponsorship of the elite program.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend FROT Group, ZENITH Bank and ARIK for their support for this lofty program. The objective is for long –term development of Nigeria football at the grassroots and we are confident this will be achieved,” said NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
Over the course of the past year, the present NFF administration has organized capacity building/enhancing programs for referees, coaches and administrators, with excellent impact on the domestic League and the outings of the various National Teams.
Resource persons at the program in the United Kingdom include former vice chairman of Premiership leading club, Arsenal FC, Mr. David Dein and Mr. Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association. There will be a paper on ‘Identifying Boundaries,’ to be co-presented by George Dorling (Chairman, London FA) and David James (County Development Manager of London FA). This will delve into relationship between regional FAs and the national body.
Dyke will present a paper on ‘Leadership – Strategies and the Workings of the FA’ while Dein will talk on ‘Building A Brand.’
There will be a presentation by Grassroots Football England on talent identification and nurturing at grassroots level, and Marketing Apparel as a potential tool for revenue generation at grassroots level, as well as visits to FA Centre of Excellence at St Georges Park and Watford Football Club ground.
Listed on the first batch are Chairman of Chairmen, Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman, Zamfara FA); NFF Board Member Chris Green (Chairman, Rivers FA); former NFF 1st Vice President Amanze Uchegbulam (Chairman, Imo FA); former NFF Board Member Taiwo Ogunjobi (Chairman, Osun FA); former NFF Board member Abubakar Ladan (Chairman, Kebbi FA) and; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
There are also ranking members of the NFF Congress like Busari Ishola (Kwara); Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa); Yahuza Adamu (Bauchi); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Enugu); Margaret Icheen (Benue); Sunday Longbap (Plateau); Nasiru Saidu (Sokoto), Oswald Atuake (Cross River) and Sabo Abdullahi Dutse (Jigawa), as well as new faces Frank Ilaboya (Edo), Ayodele Alabi (Ekiti), Porbeni Ogun (Bayelsa) and James Odeniran (Oyo).
The second batch will attend the program in January 2016.
The Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements for taking Members of its Congress on a 4-day leadership training program in the United Kingdom.
Already, the persons in the first batch of the program, which runs between 4th and 7th December in London, have secured entry visas into the United Kingdom for a training which quality is underscored by the capacity of the resource persons and the keen interest of the private sector.
Thenff.com learnt on Tuesday that leading airline, ARIK, top bank ZENITH BANK PLC and the FROT GROUP are the sponsors of the elite program.
There are 20 persons in the first batch, made up principally of Chairmen of State Football Associations, and including the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
“The Chairmen of the State FAs are the first-line charge for real development of the game at the grassroots. They also constitute the primary constituency of stakeholders.
“We are happy to have been able to arrange this program for them, and I can assure you that the impact of this program on the development of Nigeria football will be felt in the months and years to come.”
Among the resource persons for the 4-day program are Mr. Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association; Mr. Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of The Premier League; Sir Dave Richards, former Chairman of The Premier League and; Mr. David Dein, former Vice Chairman of Arsenal Football Club.
“The present NFF administration is committed to building/enhancing the capacity of all workers in the game of football. Over the course of the past year, we have organized capacity–building programs for referees and coaches in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. This is an on –going exercise.
“I want to that other sectors of the sport will also benefit, as we look to improve the capacity of everyone involved in the beautiful game,” added NFF boss, Pinnick.
The Managing Director of FROT GROUP, Mr. Frank Momoh, and the Managing Director of ZENITH BANK in London will also be at the program.
Among those in the first batch are Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Osun); Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam (Imo); Busari Ishola (Kwara); Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa); Yahuza Adamu (Bauchi); Abubakar Ladan (Kebbi); Oswald Atuake (Cross River); Frank Ilaboya (Edo); Margaret Icheen (Benue); Abdulkadir Magaji (Kaduna), James Odeniran (Oyo); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Enugu) and; Porbeni Ogun (Bayelsa).
Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, will return to the country next week, as preparations hit top gear for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
The former Super Eagles’ captain is presently in the United Kingdom with his assistant, Jean Francois Loscuito, and a number of meetings with senior Nigerian internationals in that country are on-going.
Oliseh, officially presented on July 15, has assured that he is already working assiduously towards raising a solid squad to pick up three vital points from East Africa in four-and-half weeks’ time.
“The match in Dar es Salaam is very, very crucial, not only because it will be my first match as Head Coach, but also because we have no choice than to win. The three points are important for us to keep up the tempo in our group.
“We are on the same three points with Egypt, though they have scored a goal more. That is why we cannot afford any slip along the way. We will deal first with the match in Tanzania, and then we will start thinking about the CHAN qualifiers with Burkina Faso in October, and then the World Cup qualifying fixture in November. There is a lot of work. After these matches, we will now start working towards the two AFCON qualifying matches we have with the Pharaohs in March next year.”
Oliseh, in company with NFF President Amaju Pinnick, will also be involved in a number of sessions with some corporate groups interested in partnering with Nigeria football.
“We will spread our dragnet far and wide, and any player who is in great form and we believe can add value to the Super Eagles will be invited to fight for shirt to represent Nigeria.”
The Super Eagles play Tanzania at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Saturday, 5th September, with an international friendly to fulfill a few days later.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick will return to the country on Tuesday after a four-week medical trip to the United Kingdom.
A domestic accident four years ago has compelled the Delta State –born administrator to undergo regular ear surgery and the recent exercise has been as successful as previous ones.
“I want to commend the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who has been acting in my stead, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee who have been working very hard, as well as the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who has been brilliant as head of the Secretariat.
“I also want to commend the media for its wonderful support for the NFF administration and Nigeria football generally. I have always said that we cannot do it alone, and the support of the media and other stakeholders has been very important to whatever we have achieved in the past seven months.”
Pinnick’s passion and commitment to Nigeria football development meant that even while on medical visit, he maintained the tempo of meetings, consultations and development initiatives at a pace allowed by doctors’ advice.
“I am shocked that at this age and with the global awareness that sport plays a principal role in unity, co-operation and integration among nations, some persons could be wondering why I had to meet with the FIFA President and the Chairman of the The Football Association.
“I had a very useful meeting with the FIFA President and another with the Chairman of The FA, Mr Greg Dyke. The key points from both meetings have been well -reported. I have said several times that Nigeria is a very important nation and can no longer afford to be a silent player in international football. Similarly, we have a lot to learn from England and co-operation between our two National Associations is key to our capacity –enhancing programmes and desire to replicate the enviable football culture that obtains in England in our own country.”
Going to the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Pinnick had to travel all the way and back to London by train as medical advice forbade air travel.
“I was told by doctors that I must not, under any circumstances, travel by air within four weeks after the operation. That would have been risking permanent damage to my ears. It is not like I didn’t want to return to the country all along.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick
“In any event, we are in an e-world and nothing has been left undone by my medical trip. I was not in the United Kingdom for jamboree. We are on auto-pilot with our vision and mission and I have absolutely no doubt that we are on the right path with all our plans to take Nigeria football to heights never attained before.”
I would love to join the Global Football Chief, Sepp Blatter in commending you for a job welldone since you resumed office eight months ago, surviving all manners of football crisis.
Having said that, I want to implore you to come home and do your statutory duty as enshrined in the rule book of Nigerian Football. Nigerians are beginning to be aware that you are the first federation president to pilot the administrative affairs of Nigerian football from the United Kingdom because they can count the number of times you visited the Glass House in Abuja since you resumed office. Its so bad that some have started calling you visiting NFF president.
Rumour millers have gone to town that you are in the UK on health grounds. If there is any iota of truth in the speculation, I feel you need bed rest to recuperate fully instead of junketing all over the UK. I have prayed fervently for God to heal you Sir.
You are lucky that the chief scribe of the federation, Dr Sanusi Mohammed is an experienced football administrator who can handle the secretariat well with little or no input from you, but despite your hard stance on e-administration, you ought to know that certain responsibilities that require your physical presence may suffer greatly with this your disturbing long absence.
How do you defend it that while cobwebs has taken over your office at the Glass House, you have rather busied yourself with the responsibility of scouting for players. Even when we all know that charity should begin at home, you are more preocupied with sourcing of Nigerian players in Diaspora.
We expected you to come out with a long term programme for the U-13 to develop the abundant talents at the grassroots but your knack for foreign based players seems to have crippled such expectation even before it is hatched and actualised.
I stand to be corrected Sir, how many imported overseas bred footballers have made Nigeria proud? None that I know, most of the guys that brought shine to the nation were grassroots players, presently, the best team in Nigeria is the U-20 Flying Eagles, an initiative of Sani Lulu a former NFF President.
Sir my humble advice is that you start your own and stop looking for what is not! Big names or living abroad don’t play soccer, talent does. Our Okocha, even Kanu were discovered in Nigeria. I urge you again to focus on grassroots development.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick
Before I rest my case, I appeal you allow the technical guys do their job and stop usurping their responsibility by the scouting jamboree. It is not your duty Sir. What’s it with your constant meeting with Sepp Blatter? Will that develop our soccer?
The Falcons, the most successful football team in Nigeria, move around without security, they are women, no single security personnel is attached to these girls. They move about in a rickety coaster bus and their hotel is below their standard. You are far away to see the dehumanizing treatment they undergo in camp. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
The Falcons will soon be leaving the country for the Women World Cup and of course the U-20 are in Germany but as the head of the federation you should and its your duty to visit them before departure, in case you don’t know this, psychologically it helps.
You made a lot of promises during your campaign, you even said some sponsors are already on ground waiting for you to resume office, it is our turn to now wait for them to surface or what is going on. Not forgetting that the Nike contract was signed in the UK without a single member of the NFF marketing department, I noticed that and I don’t understand why, whatever happens to professionalism and due process.
Sir, the NFF Secretariat needs to be run professionally, little things like intercom are not in place there, you cannot bring the desired change by your continued stay in London, go there, supervise and see for yourself.
It was thoughtful of you to send referees and coaches to london on capacity building in conjunction with some NGOs, Mr President I think that a huge number of Referees and Coaches might benefit from the requisite training if you bring in the resource persons, you will minimize costs and reach out to many.
The League Management Company is doing well especially on social media coverage, Sir, can you please help improve it more by setting up a management company for the running of the Women league and also be firmer in issues surrounding player’s contracts
NFF Glass House On Fire last year
The burnt NFF building is under re-construction, it still baffles me why you have the N50 million war chest from Gov Goodswill Akpabio and still could not furnish and relocate to the Sunday Dankaro House new secretariat complex.
I suppose it is better to pack into the new building and enjoy the newness and freshness.
As I wish you all the best in your office, have it in your mind that I write this letter for the genuine interest for football, with no hard/ill feelings. I hope my points will be taken, noted and acted upon.
With the departure of Coach Paul Aigbogun of Warri Wolves to the United Kingdom for the NFF organised Capacity building programme which will last for a period of two weeks, the responsibility to prepare Warri Wolves for the League cracker against newly promoted Ifeanyi Ubah FC and the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup match against Dedebit FC of Ethiopia on the 15th of March now rest on the Chief Coach, Sam Okpodu.
Okpodu who once featured for the then Green Eagles and he was known for his knack for goals will work with the other assistants, Coach Anosike and Coach Atune Jolomi in what is regarded as an uphill task but surmountable.
In a release made available to the press by the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, Coach Aigbogun officially handed over to the assistant Coaches led by Sam Okpodu with an advice to do their best by winning those two matches.
Speaking on the issue, Coach Okpodu said they are happy that the Technical Adviser is going to acquire more knowledge which will help the Club to move forward and they hope to gain from him when he comes back.
Okpodu further assured all stakeholders that they will do a good job and will not disappoint Coach Aigbogun and wish him the best and a safe trip to the United Kingdom and back home.
Warri Wolves team before their match against Racing De Bobo FC photo credit Moses Etu
Meanwhile, Warri Wolves has resumed preparation immediately for the league opener against Ifeanyi Ubah who have just won the NNL Super 4 in Ilorin forget the thrashing of RC Bobo Dioulasso at the weekend in the CAF Competition, knowing well that they have to start well so as to end well in the league.
The drive by the current board of the NFF to improve the beautiful game in Nigeria especially in aspect of helping National team coaches with backroom analysis, match preparation and match reading was stepped up today when a group made up largely of former footballers, coaches and some administrators departed for London from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday for a two-week capacity building program in the UK.
The two–week capacity building exercise, put together by the Nigeria Football Federation, and powered by the Taleveras Foundation is a welcome development as this is one area where most Nigerian national teams could do with some help.
on hand to see the group off was NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, NFF first vice president Seyi akinwunmi and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi of the Taleveras Foundation whose company has been bankrolling most of the “capacity building programs” of the Pinnick led NFF board so far.
NFF Sends team off To London For Capacity Building Programme
The group led by NFF board member Chris Green is made up of the following Nigerian football personalities:
Ahmed Yaro-Yaro, Ann Chiejine, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Dahiru Sadi, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Florence Omagbemi, Garba Lawal, Idris Musa, Isah Ladan Bosso, John Obuh, Nasiru Jibril, Nwankwo Kanu, Salisu Yusuf, Shaibu Amodu, Siji Lagunju, and Yisa Sofoluwe.
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as at when required.
Member of the NFF Executive Committee and former chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green is at the head of a 19–man contingent traveling to the United Kingdom on Monday for a two–week capacity building exercise, at the instance of Nigeria Football Federation,
Concerned about the need to develop qualified persons in the country to help coaches of the National Teams in the areas of match reading, match preparation and backroom analysis, the NFF sought sponsorship from Taleveras Foundation to enhance the capacity of these persons through a special programme. Taleveras Foundation was only too happy to be part of a move in support of Nigeria’s football development.
Barr. Chris Green
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as and when required.
NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi will be at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday to see the delegation off to England.
The exercise is with the full support and effort of The Football Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association led by Dave Richardson, the League Managers’ Association led by Graham Mackrel, and Full-time Marketing and Logistics represented by Danny Stones.
Also on the trip are former National Team Head Coach Shaibu Amodu and former Super Eagles’ captains Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (new chairman of Delta State Football Association), Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal.
There are also respected former internationals Yisa Sofoluwe, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Dahiru Sadi, Siji Lagunju and Nasiru Jibril.
Former U-20 National Team Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso, former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf, former U-17 and U-20 Head Coach Sam John Obuh and former Super Falcons’ captains Florence Omagbemi and Ann Chiejine are also included. Coaches Ahmed Yaro-Yaro and Idris Musa also make the list.
The group will be based at Champneys, Leicestershire on arrival, and on Tuesday will listen to ‘Preparation on Scouting’ by former Everton FC player Ian Atkins, now Chief Scout at the Goodison Park, and another paper by former Wolves manager John Ward, before departing for Villa Park to watch the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Brom. A full time analysis and de-briefing on the match will be led by John Ward later on Tuesday night.
The second batch of Nigerian referees to go for capacity enhancing programme in the United Kingdom, since the advent of the Amaju Pinnick–led NFF Board, will depart the country on Monday.
All the 20 referees have been issued entry visas into the United Kingdom, and they will be accompanied by Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and the Chairman of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude.
Three women are among the 20 arbiters who will undergo a similar exercise to that taken by a team of 10 Nigerian elite referees in a first run of the programme in December 2014. This second batch will return to the country on February 4.
The referees heading out for this second exercise, sponsored by Sienna Marine Limited, are Hadiza Musa, Paul Umuago, Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Jeremiah Akure, Francis Agbaegbu, Mohammed Ahmed Rufai, Bosede Momoh, Ishiaku Ibrahim, Iheanacho Chukwuemeka, Dele Atoun, Abdulrahman Suleiman Jimeta, Uloma Nwogu, Abubakar Audu, Obieze Okiridu, Ezenwankor Obiora, Sunny Atu, Sani Mohammed, Jibrin Isah and Mohammed Aliyu Jingi.
Arrangements have also been concluded for the delegation of 17 highly qualified persons, among them former Nigeria international players and top coaches, to attend a three–week Match Reading and Backroom Analysis Technique programme in the United Kingdom next month.
The third batch of Nigeria referees to benefit from the capacity enhancing exercises will leave for the United Kingdom in April.
A second batch of elite referees, this time 20 in number, will depart Nigeria for a two –week capacity building exercise in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2015.
The delegation will be led by Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, and will also include the Chairman of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude.
Already, ARIK airline has offered to fly the 22 persons at half the fare to the United Kingdom and back, while Seina Marine Limited is bankrolling the exercise.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Seina Marine, Mr. Scot Tommey said on Monday: “We are delighted to be a part of this because we believe in the well-articulated vision of Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick for Nigeria football.
“He is someone who knows exactly what it will take to make positive changes to the Nigeria game and we are interested in lending a helping hand. I can tell you that apart from the support we are giving to this exercise, we are also looking at other areas in which we can partner the NFF on football development.”
The twenty referees who will benefit from the second exercise are: Hadiza Musa, Bosede Momoh, Uloma Nwogu, Paul Umuago, Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Jeremiah Akure, Francis Agbaegbu, Ahmed Rufai, Iheanacho Chukwuemeka, Dele Atoun, Suleiman Jimeta, Abubakar Audu, Obieze Okiridu, Ezenwanko Obiora, Ishyaku Ibrahim, Sunny Atu, Sani Mohammed, Jibrin Isa and Mohammed Aliyu Jingi.
Those who went for the first exercise are Ferdinand Udoh, Shuaibu Abdullahi, Usman Isah, Samuel Pwadutakam, Orowole Tope, Egudia Efosa, Peter Ogwu, Musa Dung Davon, Olayinka Olayide and Ukah Ndubuisi.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick said: “It is an ongoing exercise. We want to have a pool of 60 referees who will be fully prepared and able to handle matches in the Nigeria Premier League and other domestic competitons without fear or favour.”
New venues to increase opportunities in sport for women and young people.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari: “More and more clubs, communities, cities and nations are investing in the development of baseball and softball because it is being recognised that baseball and softball are proven and popular sporting and fan activities that engage young people across both genders as well as sponsors and broadcasters and can help to stimulate economies.”
A fresh wave of planned or recently completed baseball and softball construction projects is set to boost the growing popularity and globalisation of the bat-and-ball sports, as well as local economies, World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) officials reported. The latest developments follow historic growth for baseball and softball across Africa, with first-ever national stadiums erected in Ghana and Uganda in early 2014.
Now, as baseball and softball’s global footprint deepens, new facilities are being rolled out in the Bahamas, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom, in addition to new-builds in mature markets like Mexico — and South Korea and Taiwan, where the first-ever domed baseball stadiums are currently taking shape.
Bahamas
In 2015, a new national baseball stadium in the Bahamas — Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium — will be completed and “heralds rapid expansion of the game of baseball in the Bahamas,” reads a statement posted in November on the official website of the Government of the Bahamas.
Prime Minister of the Bahamas Perry Christie told reporters: “This is a result of the extraordinary progress of baseball in the [Bahamas], without government support, sponsored by people who had an interest, who stimulated young people…to get involved in baseball. We are now talking a benefit to the economy of the Bahamas.”
Government officials in the Bahamas indicate the state-of-the-art facility “will support the nation’s current energies to fully develop its sports tourism.”
Netherlands
Europe’s first state-of-the-art baseball and softball complex just outside Amsterdam in Hoofddorp, Netherlands was inaugurated for the 2014 season and has already hosted its first international competition. As well as attracting major baseball and softball events to the region and providing a new and exciting athlete-/fan-experience, the venue’s strategic location makes it very attractive as a regional training centre to further strengthen the development of baseball and softball in the Netherlands and in Europe.
In 2013, the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association unveiled Europe’s first baseball and softball urban playground. The innovative “urban” concept was rolled out in Rotterdam and aims to take organised baseball and softball to the street, increasing the sports’ pathway and connection with young people in non-traditional settings.
New Zealand
Last month, the Auckland Council unveiled a new crown jewel baseball facility, cited by Auckland city officials as “the first of its kind in New Zealand.” Baseball New Zealand and McLeod Park Baseball Diamond have since been awarded the hosting rights of the U18 Baseball Oceania Championship, which serves as the qualifier for the 2015 U18 WBSC Baseball World Cup. Following McLeod Park’s opening ceremonies, officials in New Zealand have already been assessing the feasibility of building baseball’s first-ever national stadium in New Zealand.
Spain
The Instituto Barcelona Deportes (Barcelona Sports Institute) announced last week that it is set to begin construction on a new sports/community project, including the roll out of a new softball field next to baseball’s Estadio Carlos Perez de Rozas on Pierre de Coubertin Street in Barcelona.
“Sport is fundamental in Barcelona, so we are committed to providing the city with sports facilities necessary to ensure constant sport and of quality,” Deputy Mayor for Quality of Life, Equality and Sports, Ms. Maite Fandos, said in a statement.
South Africa
In a joint venture, the City of Cape Town and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport announced last month the unveiling of the rebuilt Bishop Lavis Softball field, which included laser-levelling of the pitch, installation of irrigation, construction of a backstop and fence, as well as installation of floodlights to hold training and competitions in the evenings.
“We are committed to providing facilities which will encourage communities to participate in sport and will nurture young talent. Sport encourages young people to live healthy and keeps them involved in wholesome activities and off the street,” the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Alderman Belinda Walker, said in a statement.
United Kingdom
Following the first-ever dedicated baseball/softball stadium in the U.K. with Farnham Park Baseball and Softball Complex built last year in Slough, BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) recently announced plans to build a new baseball and softball facility in Manchester to promote the sports and bolster participation numbers in the North of England. As growth has taken off in the U.K., including the newest facility inaugurated in Essex, John Boyd, BSUK Joint CEO, announced in November a project to expand the Farnham complex to include another international-standard baseball field.
U-15 Baseball World Cup
WBSC on Baseball/Softball’s Continued Trend of Global Growth
WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari hailed the wave of initiatives as a major boost for the positioning of baseball and softball as one of the world’s leading global sports, particularly as WBSC and its partners continue working toward a return baseball and softball in the Olympic Games.
“Our sport has entered into a new era of globalisation,” said the world governing body president. “More and more clubs, communities, cities and nations are investing in the development of baseball and softball because it is being recognised that baseball and softball are proven and popular sporting and fan activities that engage young people across both genders as well as sponsors and broadcasters, and can help to stimulate economies.
“WBSC, our National Federations, our professional league partners and the youth leagues are heavily invested in promoting our sport around the world to attract and reach — and remain relevant to — the next generation of athletes and sport fans, alike. This recognition and support from governmental institutions to help drive growth marks a significant break through for our sport in terms of universality and evolving into a truly global sport.”
Based on data compiled, the WBSC estimates that over 65 million athletes practice the sport of baseball and softball in over 140 countries, with youth and females making up the majority of the participation-demographic.
Tournament manager of the Independence Rugby 7’s Championship ‘Fasimoye Olatunji’ as affirmed that despite the withdrawal of international teams, the tournament promises to be of top standard, 13 teams from all over the regions in Nigeria will be competing for Cup, Plate and bowl silverware.
The tournament which will be staged at the Onikan Stadium Lagos on the 31st October and 1st November 2014 from 10am – 6pm on both days will feature defending champions,
Independence Rugby 7s Tournament
Police Machine and last year’s runner up Cowrie RFC.
Other teams are:
Hawkster Athletics,
Racing RFC,
Gosah RFC,
Covenant University RFC,
Royal Stallions RFC,
South-South RFC,
Abia Buffalos RFC,
Zaria RFC,
Barewa RFC,
Plateau Tigers and Abuja RFC.
The tournament promises to be a fun filled one and entry into the venue is free. Fasimoye as has called on all rugby fans and the general public to come out en-mass to support and enjoy the tournament.
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