The Ekiti State Baseball and Softball Association has made a significant contribution to the development of sports in the state, donating over N7 million worth of sports equipment to the baseball team of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti. This gesture, aimed at promoting baseball and softball, is part of an ongoing effort to nurture interest in the sports across Ekiti.
The equipment, which includes gloves, softballs, bats, helmets, and more, was handed over by Mr. Oluwafemi Aina, the Head Coach and Umpire-in-Chief, on behalf of Prof. Pat Oyeniyi, Chairman of the Ekiti State Baseball and Softball Association. The Vice Chancellor of BOUESTI, Prof. Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa, received the donation with appreciation, describing it as an “unprecedented and commendable” act of support for the university’s sports development.
Prof. Pat Oyeniyi, who also facilitated the transportation of the equipment, expressed his vision to see baseball and softball flourish in Ekiti, highlighting the association’s dedication to expanding the reach of the sport in schools and communities.
Speaking with JirolTV, Coach Aina emphasized that baseball and softball are not just games but tools for strengthening development and unity among youths. Drawing from his experiences during recent trips to the United States, he explained that while the sport is immensely popular in places like the U.S. and Japan, they remain under-recognized in Ekiti and Nigeria. Aina noted that the donation is part of a broader initiative to encourage local teams, especially on university campuses, to embrace baseball and softball and benefit from the values of teamwork, discipline, and hard work they instill.
Prof. Alade Temitope Tiamiyu, the university’s coordinator for baseball and softball, expressed gratitude for the equipment, acknowledging the challenges posed by the lack of recognition and resources for these sports in the state. He praised the efforts of the association and its international partners, including the Friends of Ekiti Kete Baseball and Softball in the U.S. and Japan, who have committed to making the donation an annual event to support the growing interest in the sports.
Prof. Adeoluwa pledged BOUESTI’s full support to the baseball and softball teams, encouraging the students to use the equipment responsibly and maximize the opportunity for personal and athletic development. He also expressed optimism about hosting major baseball and softball tournaments at the university in the future, further solidifying BOUESTI’s role in promoting sports in Ekiti.
With promises of more equipment from international partners, the Ekiti State Baseball and Softball Association continues to push forward, strengthening a future where baseball and softball become key sports in the state’s youth development programs.
