Uche Odozor Makes history: Elected President of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation -Africa dedicates victory to Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR
In a groundbreaking turn of events, Mr. Uche Odozor, the President of the Nigerian Baseball and Softball Association, has emerged victorious as the new President of World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Africa. His appointment has sparked excitement and hope for a new era of African baseball and softball, as he unveiled his vision for “A New Dawn for African Baseball and Softball” during his election acceptance speech at the WBSC Africa Congress.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Odozor expressed deep gratitude and acknowledgement to his fellow delegates, distinguished guests, and the entire baseball and softball family across Africa. He highlighted the importance of unity and teamwork in propelling the sports forward, and recognized the contributions of past leaders and pioneers who kept baseball and softball alive on the continent during challenging times.
Mr. Odozor outlined strategic pillars for his presidency, focusing on four key areas that will define his leadership: The Infrastructure Revolution, The Youth Pathway System, Commercial Sustainability, and Unified Competition Structure. He emphasized the need for proper infrastructure to develop major league talent, announcing the launch of the “Field of Dreams Africa Initiative” to establish WBSC-standard baseball and softball complexes across all member nations within four years.
Furthermore, Mr. Odozor highlighted the importance of investing in youth development, implementing the FTEM framework (Foundation, Talent, Elite, Mastery) to nurture young talent from grassroots level to professional contracts. He also addressed the visa challenges faced by African teams in international competitions, pledging to establish a travel facilitation task force to ensure seamless participation in future events.
Additionally, the new President emphasized the need for commercial sustainability in African baseball and softball, outlining plans to create revenue streams through partnerships with corporate sponsors, merchandise and licensing programs, and broadcast capabilities. He also stressed the importance of a unified competition structure to elevate the standard of play and attract top talent and spectators.
Mr. Uche Odozor’s election as President of WBSC Africa marks a turning point for African baseball and softball, promising a bright future filled with growth, development, and opportunities for athletes and fans across the continent. His vision for a new era has ignited optimism and excitement within the sports community, heralding a promising journey ahead for African baseball and softball.
