About 75 secondary schools from seven states will participate in the second edition of the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL), which will kick off in Ondo state between July 31st and August 5th at the Akure Township Stadium.
This was disclosed during a press conference to herald the tournament by the President of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) and the Director-General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), Babajide Akeredolu, in Akure, Ondo state capital.
According to him, the season two edition of the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL) will have participants from seven states, which include Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Abuja, Akwa Ibom, and Osun who will participate in the competition.
The NAFA President, who was represented by the Secretary-General of the Association, Mr Lawrence Ojaideh, said every arrangement and modality has been put in place to ensure the success of the event.
He said: “This season will witness active involvement of 75 secondary schools from these states, with over 2,000 student-athletes competing.
“As the competition unfolds, we eagerly look forward to witnessing the prowess and determination of these remarkable young athletes.”
The NAFA President, who was represented by the Secretary-General of the Association, Mr Lawrence Ojaideh, said every arrangement and modality has been put in place to ensure the success of the event.
He said: “This season will witness active involvement of 75 secondary schools from these states, with over 2,000 student-athletes competing.
“As the competition unfolds, we eagerly look forward to witnessing the prowess and determination of these remarkable young athletes.”
Babajide explained that the tournament is divided into two categories, for boys and girls, and said, “The Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL) has been one of our most transformative initiatives. The NSSFFL is intended for students in secondary schools (High School) between the ages of 12-18”.
“The girls’ category will have the Army Cantonment Girls Lagos playing the African Church Grammar School in Group A, while Government Science Secondary School, Rykaso, Abuja, will slug it out with Atanja School of Ogun State.
“The boys’ category; Keke Senior High School, Lagos, will take on African Church Grammar School in Group A. Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Abuja, would lock horns with Damatec College, Osun.
He explained that the primary focus of the league is obtaining educational and sports scholarships for the winning teams and, if possible, spreading opportunities for the participating athletes as well.
“From its inception to the end of Season 1, we witnessed the participation of 20 secondary schools, forming 40 teams and engaging a remarkable 840 students.
“NSSFFL has not only been a platform for the budding talents of our youth but has also provided scholarships in collaboration with Global Wealth University in Togo to 141 deserving athletes.
“In the first season of the NSSFL, a heartwarming documentary showcasing the growth, reach, and impact of flag football on the lives of young athletes was created”.
Babajide also disclosed that this year’s national tournament christened – AKETI BOWL is in honour of the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, describing him as a visionary leader whose firm support has been the driving force behind many remarkable achievements the NSSFL and NAFA have experienced.
“The name Aketi Bowl signifies a symbol of excellence, conviction, and determination in driving the growth of American football in Nigeria. It epitomises the unwavering aspirations and determination of our athletes to reach unparalleled heights in the sport.
“As we stand on the threshold of this exciting new chapter, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our chairman for his invaluable contributions, which have aided us in shaping the future of American football in our great nation.
“The Aketi Bowl will stand as a testament to his enduring legacy, and we are honoured to have him lead us.”
He added that NAFA is in advanced talks with its partner, Gridiron Imports, to identify top players eligible for high school scholarships in the United States, reaffirming its commitment to providing life-changing opportunities for young adults.
“Our passion for empowering the youth is evident in our endeavours, and what we haven’t highlighted yet is the impact of NAFA’s yearly training programs for the older generation. We firmly believe in equipping individuals of all ages with skills that can transform their lives, and to achieve this, we host capacity development training every quarter.
“These comprehensive training sessions take place in several states across the country, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth.
“Over the course of three years, our efforts have yielded remarkable results, with a breakdown of field officials trained as follows: 55 in 2020, 200 in 2021, and an impressive 700 in 2022, culminating in a total of 955 skilled and empowered individuals,” the NAFA President added.
