NBSA’s 35 years after establishment: New President, amplifies its potential, takes NBSA’s to grassroots across 774 LGAs
By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The new President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), Mr. Uche Odozor, has pledged to take baseball, softball, and Little League to the grassroots, 35 years after its introduction to Nigeria.
His focus will be on all 774 local government areas in the country, targeting schools at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
Speaking during a press briefing at his office in Abuja on Friday, December 13, 2024, Mr. Odozor highlighted the importance of the initiative in reducing unemployment among Nigerian youths. He stated that baseball provides the highest number of scholarships globally, making it a tool for youth development.
According to the NBSA president, baseball has the potential to rebuild a new generation of young people in Nigeria. He commended the National Assembly for bills aimed at addressing out-of-school children and emphasized that baseball could help bring these children back to school while enhancing their intellectual capabilities.
“Baseball is not just a sport; it makes you smarter,” Mr. Odozor said. “If you’re not smart, baseball will make you smart. When you take to baseball, you start thinking positively all the time.”
The NBSA president further noted that countries like Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Africa have successfully leveraged baseball for their national development.
He stressed that with Nigeria’s population of over 200 million—60% of whom are youths—the country has immense potential to generate significant revenue through a thriving sports economy.
He also mentioned Mergerik Germany, a company that manufactures baseball gloves, which recently set up its production center in Garki, Abuja, under its new name, Mergerik Nigeria. The company chose Nigeria as its African production hub due to the country’s potential.
Adding to the conversation, Dr. Armstrong Oguche, the Director-General of Administration for Nigeria Baseball, Softball, and Little League, corroborated the NBSA president’s vision.
He outlined the association’s medium- and long-term plans to develop young players aged 12, 13, and 15, to represent Nigeria at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
With this renewed vision under the leadership of Mr. Uche Odozor, the Nigeria Baseball, Softball, and Little League Association is set to witness monumental development.
Barely a week after his election, Mr. Odozor and his team have already laid the groundwork for transforming the sport into a cornerstone of youth empowerment and international recognition.
