Baseball players from five states are battling for top prizes at the 2025 ‘Honour Independent National Baseball League’ in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The first phase of the competition was attended by ten states before it was scaled down to five in the second phase. The National League is being sponsored by Chief Executive Officer of Honours Intercontinental Concept Ltd., Anaekwe Gideon Kodir, a former baseball player who distinguished himself in the 1991 season.
Anaekwe, who also serves as President of Honours Sports International Foundation, said he decided to sponsor the league as a way of promoting the game of baseball in the country.
Under his leadership, the Foundation has hosted the Honours Independent National Baseball League Phase 1 in April, and he is the sole sponsor of the ongoing Phase 2 of the Honours Independent National Baseball League, which began yesterday in Ilorin.
The First Vice President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Federation, Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo, said the event will run from September 22 to 26 at the Adewole Baseball and Softball Park, Ilorin.
The league is featuring participating teams from Delta, Bayelsa, Kwara, Ondo, and Oyo States.
According to the fixtures released by the Technical Director, Abidoye Olajide Olayinka, the opening game Monday morning was between Delta and Bayelsa at 8:00 a.m., while Kwara will battle Ondo in the second match at 1:00 p.m. Oyo drew a bye in the first round.
In other fixtures, Ondo will face Delta (Tuesday), followed by Bayelsa versus Oyo later in the day, with Kwara observing a bye. Wednesday will feature a clash between Oyo and Ondo, while Delta will face Kwara in the afternoon session.
On Thursday, Kwara is scheduled to face Oyo before Ondo lock horns with Bayelsa. The league will conclude on Friday with Bayelsa meeting Kwara in the morning, while Oyo and Delta will close the tournament in the final game at 1:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, organisers of the Honour National Baseball League have said the competition is designed to boost the visibility of baseball and softball in Nigeria while fostering unity and sportsmanship among participating states.
