Sports
‘American Football Can Attract Local, Foreign Sponsors To Nigeria’
President of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), Babajide Akeredolu, has said that the country can get more local and foreign investors to contribute to the development of sports when American football eventually becomes one of the top sports in the nation.
Speaking in Lagos at the unveiling of the U-18 boys and girls national teams, Akeredolu said the discovery that Nigeria has the largest number of players of African descent playing in the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of American Football, which is one of the richest team sports in the world, indicates that there are abundant talents across the federation that can make American football a money-spinning league in Nigeria.
Akeredolu, who was excited about the establishment of the first U-18 national team for Flag Football, said Nigeria’s participation in an international championship next year will boost international awareness of American football in Nigeria and also expose young secondary school players discovered in the country to a high level of competition in the sport.
He added that arrangements were in top gear to search for more talents in the sport across the country, saying that NAFA’s organisation of a vibrant American Football League is in the pipeline.
“NAFA has so far experienced fast and steady growth due to Nigerians’ acceptance and embrace of American Football.
“We are delighted that the organisation of American Football has finally brought the country into the multibillion-dollar industry, where Nigerians abroad are seen to be overachieving.
“An example is the fact that Nigeria has the largest number of players in the American Football league (NFL). A number that is said to be up to 10 times more than any other nation in the world except America.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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