Akeredolu to Nigerian American Football Association: I will Partner You

American Flagship Football Exhibition Game Holds in Lagos

By Opeyemi Samuel On Jan 14, 2020 0

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, Western Nigeria Governors Forum on Sunday urged the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) and Lagos Marine American Football Club to consider visiting his state to explore youthful talents that are in abundance therein, promising to partner the organisations to use sports to grow wealth and promote peace in Nigeria.

Players of Lagos Marine Football American Club – Mainlanders and Islanders – during an exhibition game organized by the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) held at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Players of Lagos Marine Football American Club – Mainlanders and Islanders – in a group photograph after an exhibition game organized bythe Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) held at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The governor, amidst applause, also declared that his administration will soon build a world class football academy to train, grow and expose youths in Ondo State to the international clubs, stating that sport is a goldmine that his administration and Governors in Western Nigeria plan to use to wage war against the surge of youth unemployment currently ravaging
the country.

Speaking at the maiden edition of American Flagship Football exhibition game held at National Stadium, Surelere, Lagos yesterday, Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) vowed to use his connections across the length and breadth of Nigeria to revolutionise the growth of American Flagship Football Game in the country.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Barr. Dotun Owanikin, Akeredolu said “the National Sports Festival which is our home-grown Olympics tagged EDO 2020. It is therefore probable to conclude that if one of the objectives of the exhibition game is to feature many of the players who would form the bulk of the team to represent Nigeria in international football games, we have to applaud your organizations for thus significant contributions to sports development in this country.

In his remarks, the Founder and Chairman of NAFA, Mr. Babajide Akeredolu said the purpose of the exhibition game was to create awareness on the existence and importance of the American Flagship Football game in Nigeria so that Nigerians especially the younger generation could have an ample of opportunities to exhibit their talents, get exposed to the world and become great in life.
“People focus more on football round-leather game in Nigeria but we want to offer Nigerians and investors to a new dimension. Flagship football is an alternative to Round-leather Football and Rugby. It is very exciting. It is the most lucrative game in United States of America after Basket Ball. It is also good for health.

“By the grace of God and the support of Nigerians, we are starting a league in March. Aside the two teams of Lagos Marine, some teams based in the South-South, East and North have registered. We will hit Nigeria by storm and the youth shall be great for it.
The Exhibition game was played between Lagos Marine Islanders and Lagos Marine Mainlanders. The Mainlanders scored 28 points while the Islanders scored 6 points.