In the quest to qualify Nigeria for the Softball event at the 2028 Olympic Games, 43 girls from States across the country are in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for a fifteen day first phase camping with the second phase scheduled to start in July this year.
Baseball and softball are making a return to the Olympics after some years of absence.
Both have been added to the programme for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, along with lacrosse, squash, cricket and flag football, following a vote conducted by the International Olympic Committee in Mumbai, India last year.
Baseball and softball were featured on the programme for the 2020 Tokyo Games, returning to the Olympics for the first time since the Beijing Games in 2008. Host Japan won gold medals in both sports. Neither will be part of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
The 2028 Summer Games will mark the seventh time baseball has been an official medal sport at the Olympics, following 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2020. Softball made its debut as an official medal sport in 1996 and was also played in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2020.
As part of efforts to ensuring that Nigeria qualifies and actively participate, stakeholders of the sport have swung into action, one of which is the ongoing Fast Pitch Softball camping program for the 43 girls at the Government Secondary School, Ovom who train at the Samson Siasia Sport Complex in Yenagoa.
To supervise the program, officials of the National Fast Pitch Softball are in the Bayelsa State capital to oversee the camping.
The Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), the Embassy of Japan and the Japan-Africa Baseball and Softball (J-ABS) Foundation last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which is five-year partnership to focus on what is tagged the “Nigeria Baseballership Development Plan” to develop baseball and softball in the country.
As part of the plan, a Coach from Japan is also in Yenagoa to help hone the skills of the 43 girls and coaches.
Acting Secretary General of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association Mr. Robert Onwunkwe Anthony says the (NBSA) decided to start early preparations and groom the girls from an early age to ensure Nigeria makes it to the Olympics, stating that with the programe the future was bright for the sport.
The Chief Scorer with the National Fast Pitch Softball Commission Dr. James Asagunla who is a Physiologist at the University of Ilorin notes that the girls are learning and adapting fast to training.
A national Softball Coach, Jenifer Ugo-Obodozie who guided Nigeria to silver medal at the Abuja 2003 All Africa Games says this is the first time preparations are held early, four years before the Olympics, a departure from the previous fire brigade approach.
One of the local organizers of the Fast Pitch Softball camp, Mr. Opuene Albert Dede says the 43 girls from ages 14 to 19 from secondary schools from at least 13 States are being trained by 8 national coaches with the aim of getting to their peak by the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The officials expressed gratitude to the Government of Bayelsa, especially Governor Douye Diri, the Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Sports, Mrs. Grace Alagoa and the Director of the state Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi for providing the resources to host the girls and thanked the people of the State for their warm hospitality towards the girls and the officials during camping.
Alambo Datonye Fred
