By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Real Act of Kindness (RAK) Angels Baseball and Softball team has returned home in triumph after securing a third-place at the highly competitive Monimak Softball Championship held in Kwara State.
Arriving back in Badagry on Saturday, August 1, 2026, the team was met with celebration following their stellar performance among 13 elite clubs from across the country. Team members and officials were quick to dedicate their latest laurel to their sole benefactor, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the pioneer of the RAK Development Foundation, and the grand patron of the team whose financial and moral backing has sustained the club since its inception.
Reflecting on the grueling tournament which began on July 27, the Head Coach of the RAK Angels, Hunvio Paul Mauzonsu, praised the resilience and grit of his players, noting that the journey to the podium was filled with intense challenges.
"We went on July 27th and came back this morning. At the end of the tournament, we came third out of 13 clubs that competed," Coach Mauzonsu told journalists. Highlighting the toughest hurdle of the competition, he pointed to the fierce Lagos derby against a formidable side from Mushin: "When you hear about a derby match, you will know it's going to be a tough one. Our players came from 6:1 down to eventually win at 7:6 through the effort of the players and the entire crew."
Coach Mauzonsu highlighted that all team members are homegrown talents recruited from various schools across Badagry. He added that the team has now participated in seven major tournaments, consistently returning home with medals since the club was founded in 2022 under Hon. Ogunlende’s sponsorship. He also called on parents to encourage their children to embrace sports as a powerful tool for confidence-building and youth engagement.
Echoing the coach's sentiments, the team captain, Oluwafemi Rejoice, emphasized the valuable lessons learned on the field.
"The tournament taught us various things, which include teamwork and the determination to win," Rejoice said. "We want to appreciate Hon. Ogunlende for his continuous support; without him, we wouldn't be part of the tournament. We so much appreciate it."
Team Manager Abdelrahman Bolanle shed light on the physical toll the championship took on the players, noting that several athletes sustained injuries in their fierce bid to bring home silverware.
"This game was a very tough game, as you can see that most of them are injured in the course of making sure they go home with something reasonable," Bolanle stated.
"Most importantly, we need to thank Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende because without him, we couldn't come home with this we might not be able to attend at all. People are already getting to know RAK Angels, which is already going globally. There is a lot most people don't know about softball, as its players are the highest-paid, even more than football."
For first-base player Abubo Abigirl, the victory was a testament to teamwork bolstered by reliable backing.
"This tournament was tough for us, but with the support of RAK, it was easy for us," Abigirl remarked. "That is why all I'll say is thank you, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende."