Lagos meets Abuja in friendly as NSSFFL states’ preliminaries begin May 10
American Football’s governing body, National Football League (NFL), has started discussions with Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) on a partnership expected to accelerate the development of the game in the country.
According to NAFA General Secretary, Lawrence Ojaideh, the body’s president, Babajide Akeredolu, had a meeting with an NFL delegation during a recent African camp in Kenya, where the bodies agreed to collaborate to create more awareness of the sport in Nigeria.
Ojaideh noted that the involvement of NFL in the country’s American Football development would lure more sponsors, home and abroad, to invest in the sport across the country.
“The event in Kenya was an NFL Africa talent identification camp, where the president and I were invited to represent Nigeria. We discussed a partnership to develop American Football in Nigeria,” he said.
Ojaideh also disclosed that there would be an inaugural senior friendly game between Lagos and Abuja at the Turf Arena Wuse, Abuja, on May 7 to further promote the sport in the country.
“It is the first inter-state game in the country and the purpose is to market the sport and create the platform for the soon to start states’ leagues.
“The tune up game is organised by SWA Sport in conjunction with NAFA and Abuja Flag to create the awareness and platform for more players to participate in the sport,” be said.
Other activities lined up for this year, according to NAFA, are the National U-18 team training camp, which officially begins from April 21 ahead of international games and registration for a senior national team try-out camp, which opened on April 15 and closes May 15 before training begins in June ahead of the IFAF game in Europe.
NAFA also stated that the body is preparing to launch the American Football Tackle League in the last quarter of 2023.
“The NSSFFL Season Two League will kick off in May at the state level before a national tournament in Ondo State in June. NAFA will also start the biggest high school league at the state level in 2024. But before then, we will start the university league for in 2023,” Ojaideh said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Secondary Schools Flag Football League (NSSFFL) Season 11 preliminary games begins on May 10 with Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ogun centres hosting games from May 10 to 12. The Akwa Ibom will also open from May 10 to 12, while Lagos and Abuja will take their turns from May 22 to 25.
