Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) on Wednesday opened the nationwide finals of the Nigerian Secondary College Flag Soccer League (NSSFFL) Season 4 in Abuja, marking one other step within the quick rise of flag soccer within the nation.
The league, which began as what NAFA vice chairman, Oluwaseye Obatolu, as soon as referred to as an “audacious thought,” has now grown right into a nationwide programme linking sports activities with training, abilities and youth empowerment.
Mr Obatolu stated the initiative has expanded from a small group of faculties to a nationwide system. Eleven states took half within the preliminary rounds, whereas seven—Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and the FCT—certified for the 2025 AKETI Bowl III finals.
Each female and male groups will compete this season, a improvement he described as proof of “a deeper expertise pool and rising nationwide enthusiasm.”
In response to NAFA, the game is rising rapidly in faculties as a result of it’s inexpensive, protected, inclusive and strongly centered on teamwork and management.
“Our function is straightforward however critical—create pathways,” Mr Obatolu stated. “Pathways to training, to abilities, to international publicity and, for the bold, to elite sport.”
He additionally famous that scholarship openings, teaching and officiating clinics, and worldwide hyperlinks for student-athletes are growing yearly. He paid tribute to the late Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, NAFA’s founding chairman, saying the AKETI Bowl stays an emblem of his assist for youth improvement.
This yr’s finals will function particular empowerment periods for younger ladies underneath the GRlDIRON GEM programme, protecting management, mentorship, hygiene and private progress. An identical programme for boys will even maintain through the finals.
“Flag soccer is a classroom with out partitions,” Mr Obatolu added. “Right here, college students be taught technique, communication, equity underneath stress, and respect for guidelines.”
In a message delivered on behalf of the Nigerian College Sports activities Federation (NSSF) President, Olabisi Joseph, the federation’s vice chairman, Emmanuel Ibong, reaffirmed assist for NAFA. He stated the NSSF not too long ago signed a five-year partnership with NAFA after three years of casual work between each organisations.
Mr Ibong stated the game gives college students constructive engagement at a time when many younger persons are susceptible to social vices.
“This sport could also be new in Nigeria, however via NAFA’s coaching, our lecturers rapidly tailored and have become coaches,” he stated. “The standard of play at this time seems like a sport that has been right here for a decade.”
The league’s coordinator, Oluwatobi Abe, stated NAFA has strengthened its technical and administrative techniques, improved officiating via volunteer coaching, and elevated advertising efforts throughout taking part states.
He introduced that money prizes of 1 million, seven hundred and fifty thousand and 300 and fifty thousand naira shall be awarded to the highest three groups and excellent student-athletes.
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NAFA additionally acknowledged assist from companions together with Browns Nigeria, the native affiliate of the Cleveland Browns, which continues to again youth improvement programmes across the league.
Because the AKETI Bowl III finals start, NAFA stated its long-term purpose is to make flag soccer one of many most secure and most organised college sports activities within the nation.
“To each student-athlete, play arduous, play truthful and be coachable,” Mr Obatolu advised individuals. “Whether or not you elevate the trophy or not, the teachings you’re taking from this week will stick with you lengthy after commencement.”
