Delta State has emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo National Division One Baseball and Softball League after decimating Lagos State sixteen runs to zero in two Innings.
Lagos State which was trailing Delta State sixteen runs to zero in two Innings in a game of seven Innings had to call off the game as the lead was no longer surmountable with the Delta team poised on increasing the lead with their compact play which had seen the Lagos side succumb to a nine runs to zero in the first Innings.
The victory further stamped Delta’s dominance in Baseball and Softball in Nigeria as the State had beaten Lagos sixteen runs to zero in the Softball final a day earlier to sustain its over seventeen years dominance in the sport.
In the third place Kwara came from six runs to zero to beat Rivers State Baseball team seven runs to six in seven Innings to conclude a colourful event which saw Baseball and Softball enthusiasts thronging the Saint Patrick’s College Asaba pitch to cheer the teams to victory.
The former Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Chief Tunde Popoola, one of the precursors of Baseball and Softball in Nigeria called on the players and stakeholders to continue to grow the game in the country.
Chief Popoola said despite the crisis that had rocked the sport in the country, which led to a lull in the sport for over twelve years the quality on display at the Victor Chukuwudumebi Achakpo National Division One League was commendable.
He enjoined others to emulate the former National Coach, Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo in investing in the sport in a bid to take the game to the nooks and cranny of Nigeria.
Others who spoke including the President of the Nigeria Swinmming and Aquatic Federation, Chief Chinonye Dafe, the national Coach of the Nigeria Softball team, Coach, Jennifer Ugodozie among others described the league as a welcomed development as it would help to revive the game in Nigeria having been dormant for over twelve years.
Coach Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo while thanking the teams for taking part in the four day league enjoined the players to take the message back to their states and across the nation that Baseball and Softball had returned for good as the nation remained one of the best in Africa and it was now time take its place on the continent after a twelve year hiatus.
Highlight of the event was presentation of trophies to the winning teams as well as individual players that excelled while the tournament lasted.
