The President, Nigerian America Football Association (NAFA), Babajide Akeredolu, on Tuesday said that 40 secondary schools would compete in the maiden edition of the 2022 League.
He said this while addressing a news conference in Lagos to herald the league, set to begin on May 5 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
He said that the league would run for two months.
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Akeredolu also said the event would have 20 female and 20 male teams drawn from secondary schools across Lagos.
“We are making history together today and I am extremely delighted about where we are today as an association.
“I want to take time to assure fans of American Football in Nigeria that we are on track to build a critical mass locally to propel the sport in Nigeria,” Akeredolu said.
He added that NAFA was founded in 2019 with the aim to grow and create opportunities through the sport in Nigeria.
“We have done a lot of grassroots development projects by creating awareness countrywide and planting the sport in regions that are receptive to our message.
“We started by doing capacity building where we trained and certified coaches and referees through our foreign partners.
“On yearly basis we have toured this part and are confident that our strategic plan is to ensure the sustainable growth of the country,” Akeredolu said.
Similarly, Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports said at the crossing ceremony of the maiden Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics on Tuesday that he was impressed with the skills and level of competitiveness exhibited at the competition.
Dare said that wrestling has continued to maintain her position while striving to get better.
“My last visit to Bayelsa was during the final trials and preparations for the Olympics in Tokyo. I did say it then that they would do us proud and indeed wrestling gave us our highest medal.
“In the history of Nigeria we got the first Olympic medal in wrestling, even then I had no doubts that Bayelsa will continue to remain the capital of wrestling in Nigeria and today’s event is a testimony to that.
“I thank the governor of Bayelsa for his love of wrestling in the state and in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The competition kicked off on April 29 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex. The competition had participants from 25 states including FCT, 16 clubs, which includes both the military and para military.
The states are Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo state, Oyo state, Cross River, Lagos, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ogun, Enugu and Benue.
Others were Edo, Kwara, Kano state, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Plateau, Adamawa, Kaduna, Ekiti , Anambra, Borno, Osun, and the FCT.
The clubs are NSCDC, Burutu, Cashin, Road Park, Dynamite, Nigerian Army, Owobiko, FRSC, NSCDC Academy, Ogbia, Purity, Joe Oziti, Nigeria Police Force, Robinson, Atula and Asoama Sports Academy.
