The pioneer Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Council, Pa. Gabriel Babatunde Ladipo has commended the state government, on the renovation and facelift of the Baseball Park in Adewole, even as he said that more still need to be done to make the exercise worthwhile.
After been abandoned for years, the state government approved the renovation of the edifice, and the renovation will soon be completed by Fasma Company, the outfit handling the project.
The Baseball Park is the first in Nigeria, and was commissioned in 1991. Between 2005 and till now, it became an eyesore until Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration decided to step in.
But according to the former Principal of Government Technical Training School (GTTS), the renovation can only be noticed and attractive if it is put into full use, especially considering the low patronage of the sports, against other sports events.
‘How many states are presently playing baseball and softball, and how available are the resources to organize regular baseball and softball competitions to ensure the place is put into full use, and also maintained’, he asked.
‘With regular use, it will not fall into misuse or abandoned, like it was abandoned before its being renovated
What the government needs to do is to construct other sporting facilities for maybe basketball, football, volleyball and other sports in the remaining spaces, to ensure flow of sportsmen and women into the park, and also boost commercial activities.
He added that doing so will also reduce pressure on the Stadium Complex.
Going down memory lane, Pa Ladipo said that the Baseball Park was conceived as assistance to the Kwara State Stadium Complex, especially with the area then very close to the center of the town amidst natives.
