The two Nigerian teams, Sliders LL of Ilorin in Kwara State and Owena LL of Akure in Ondo State billed to participate in the Regional tournament holding in Italy and Poland in July respectively have withdrawn from the tournaments.
This was contained in a mail from the Regional Director of Little League International, Ms Beata Kaszuba-Baker to the District Administrator in Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Laniyan on Monday 6, July 2016.
Beata advised the teams from Nigeria to withdraw based on very time frame for completing players verification and the laborious processes of getting Shengen visas for the teams. According to Ms Kaszuba-Baker, “… we realize that it takes a lot of efforts and arrangements to prepare for travel documents and processing the Shengen visa and the time is short.”
Considering the above from the Regional Office in Kotno, Poland, Owena LL of Akure that won the 2016 District tournament held in Abuja few weeks ago and Sliders LL of Ilorin have pulled out from the tournaments.
Speaking with the President of Owena LL, Mr. Chibuisi Ukandu, he said the managements of the two leagues have met with the District Administrator of Little League International, Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Laniyan to discuss and have agreed on the withdrawal of their teams.
Ikandu also said that efforts are being made to get parents, volunteers and stakeholders for the leagues also involved in the development. Mr Ukandu added that though it is a big disappointment for the children representing Nigeria, but it is also a big opportunity to prepare the team for next season and for the 2017 regional tournament.
