NIGERIA – The year 2009 promises to be a very busy year for baseball and softball if plans by the federation to take the game to next level is anything to go by.

The marketing and promotion subcommittee of the federation, headed by Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, have been meeting in recent times to articulate a working document for the popularization of the game in Nigeria. Among the programmes slated for early next year is meeting with the American Ambassador in Nigeria.

“That will be a good starting point for us because America is the home of baseball and the meeting with the Ambassador will open doors for us to reach other American companies in Nigeria”, explains Jani Mohammed who is also the proprietor of LUBCON Oil.

The federation has also mapped out elaborate activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the game.

“The anniversary”, says the secretary of the federation, Kehinde Laniyan, “will afford the stakeholders the opportunity to come together for the betterment of the game. We’re looking forward to a very big celebration which will no doubt take the game to the next level.”

“From the look of the things, the game can be popular if all lovers join hands together. And I believe the 20th anniversary will provide that forum”, Laniyan further added.

The federation has also lined_up three major championships for the first quarter of next year. Among the championships are Open Little League for Under 12 boys and girls, and Under 16 Club Championships for boys and girls.

Source: allAfrica.com

Tags: Nigeria