President of the Nigeria Catchball Federation Bola Babarinde has revealed ambitious plans to grow the sport in the country, as Nigeria prepares to compete at the African Catchball Championship in South Africa this June.
Despite being relatively new in Nigeria, Babarinde believes catchball has strong potential to become a competitive and widely played sport.
“We want to grow it,” he said.
According to him, the federation is focused on introducing the sport to more people, creating awareness, and building a solid foundation for long-term development.
“It has great potential,” he implied.
Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming championship represents a significant step, providing an opportunity to compete against more established nations such as Kenya, Togo, and South Africa.
“These countries are ahead,” he noted.
However, Babarinde remains optimistic that Nigeria can close the gap through consistent effort, investment, and grassroots development.
“We are working towards that level,” he added.
For the federation, the goal is not just short-term success but sustained growth that will position Nigeria as a competitive force in the sport.
“It’s a journey,” he stressed.
The African Championship will serve as both a test and a learning experience, offering players exposure and valuable insights into international competition.
As preparations continue, the focus will be on building a team capable of representing the country with pride.
For Babarinde, the vision is clear.
Introduce.
Develop.
Compete.
Because every sport starts somewhere.
And for catchball in Nigeria, this could be the beginning of something bigger.
