The maiden Higher Institutions Football League (HIFL) will kick off on August 1 according to the organisers, Green White Green (GWG) Sports.

A retreat was held at the Kanem Suite in Utako, Abuja with the aimed of building the capacity of the officials for smooth running of the league had in attendance 24 referees, eight assessors, 10 match commissioners and all the participating team coaches.

Speaking at the retreat, CEO of the Green White Green, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, said the coming on-stream of Higher Institution Football League as a good platform for students to exhibit their talents to the world is long overdue.

“But I am happy we are finally kicking off the games. At the end of this maiden edition, we hope to have convinced our sponsors and indeed Nigerians that collegiate sport is ripe in Nigeria. Then, we may be thinking of expanding to other sports.”

The participating universities are University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Bayero University, University of Benin, University of Port-Harcourt, University of Jos, University of Uyo, University of Maiduguri, Usman Dan Fodio University and University of Ilorin.