Baseball players from five states are competing for top honours at the 2025 Honour Independent National Baseball League, which kicked off yesterday at the Adewole Baseball and Softball Park in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The first phase of the league, held in April, featured ten states. Phase Two has now been narrowed down to Delta, Bayelsa, Kwara, Ondo, and Oyo states. The event runs from 22 to 26 September.

The league is sponsored by Anaekwe Gideon Kodir, CEO of Honours Intercontinental Concept Ltd. and a former standout player in the 1991 season. Anaekwe, who also serves as President of the Honours Sports International Foundation, said his aim is to grow baseball in Nigeria. His Foundation hosted Phase One earlier this year and is fully funding the current phase.

Fixtures released by Technical Director Abidoye Olajide Olayinka show Delta and Bayelsa opened proceedings on Monday morning, followed by Kwara against Ondo, with Oyo drawing a bye. Subsequent fixtures pit Ondo against Delta and Bayelsa versus Oyo on Tuesday; Oyo versus Ondo and Delta versus Kwara on Wednesday; Kwara versus Oyo and Ondo against Bayelsa on Thursday; before the tournament concludes on Friday with Bayelsa facing Kwara and Oyo meeting Delta.

Organisers say the competition is designed to raise the profile of baseball and softball while fostering unity and sportsmanship across Nigeria.