By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR 

Lagos State contingent male and female teams have emerged champions in the 2024 Secondary school Football Tournament with a cash prize of N1 million while the defending Champion Akwa Ibom got with 700 hundred thousand naira and FCT Abuja came third in the Female category, Cross River State came third with a cash prize of three hundred and fifty thousand naira in the male category. 

The Flag Football National Tournament Finals took place at the U.J. ESUENE STADIUM Calabar Cross River State Organized by the Nigeria America Football Association.

Speaking after the competition Babajide Akeredolu President of the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) thanked Cross River State for the gesture of being a good host and all the participating schools that took part in the tournament. 

The states participating include Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Abuja, Benue, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. According to Akeredolu, there will be 10 players for both male and female players from these secondary schools.

He noted that the introduction of American football to Nigeria in 2019 has created job opportunities, facilitated skill development, and brought recognition to many young people, highlighting the significant role of American football and other sports in creating prospects for Nigerian youth.

Akeredolu expressed his gratitude to the Cross River State Government and its Commissioner for Sports for their support, acknowledging their contributions to successfully hosting the Football National Tournament Final in Calabar, a city celebrated for its rich sports culture.

“Government support has been crucial in realizing this event. This partnership demonstrates how government involvement can promote sports and its benefits for our community.

“We have been actively engaged in grassroots development initiatives, raising awareness nationwide, and establishing the sport in receptive regions.

“Our efforts began with capacity building, where we trained and certified coaches and referees with the help of our international partners,” he elaborated.

Mr. Emmanuel Ebong, Vice President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), emphasized how the partnership between NAFA and NSSF has brought attention to flag football, a sport that was previously not well-known in the Nigeria.

“One cannot conduct school sports without the involvement of NSSF, which oversees the youth under the ministry of sports. Most athletes who represent Nigeria at national and international levels begin their journey with us at NSSF.

“It’s important to keep young minds engaged in positive activities to deter them from crime. Sports serve as a powerful avenue for many to achieve success, which is why we focus on nurturing talent from an early age,” he stated.

Earlier the State Governor Senator Bassey Otu promised that the game will be introduced in secondary and primary school in the state. 

The Cross River State Governor who was represented by his Deputy Governor Dr Peter Odey said Cross River will popularized the games in the state and promised to emerged victorious in the next compitition saying in Politics you win and loosed

The Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties Ekpeyong Akiba said this is one of the efforts of the Governor Bassey Otu led administration in promoting sports in the state. 

Akiba said the introduction of America Football in the state is a good initiative that should be supported by the citizen especially the introduction of the game at the primary school and Secondary level. 

He also commended the Pastor Emmanuel Ebong Vice President of Nigeria Secondary School Federation(NSSF) for offering  Cross River State opportunity to host secondary school games.