Aketi Bowl: Lagos wins Nigerian American Football tournament in Calabar

Lagos State emerged winners of the 2024 Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFF) competition, tagged “Aketi Bowl,” held at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Thursday.

In the keenly contested finals held at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Thursday, in the male category, Lagos State defeated the defending champions, Akwa Ibom State, by 22 points to 12 to cart home the star prize of one million naira, while the runners-up bagged N750,000. Abuja, the third-place finishers, got N350,000 for their effort.

In the finals of the female category, Lagos State also won the star prize of one million naira after defeating Akwa Ibom State by 18 points to 14, while the hosts, Cross River, who emerged third, went home with N350,000.

Nine states, including Rivers, Cross River, Ondo, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Kwara, Lagos, and Abuja, participated in the championship.

Speaking at the Season 3 event, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, thanked the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) for bringing the championship to Calabar and assured that the game would be introduced to all primary and secondary schools in the state so that they can reap the benefits of playing the game at both local and international levels.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, said the state already has a comprehensive sports development programme in place and reiterated his administration’s dedication to utilising sports, including American football, for youth growth, learning, and lasting connections.

While congratulating the teams that made it to the finals, he promised that in the next edition, Cross River would do its best to ensure that the state not only reaches the finals but wins the competition.

The president of the Nigerian American Football Association, Babajide Akeredolu, thanked Governor Otu for approving the state to host the championship and for providing the UJ Esuene Stadium free of charge for the event.

He stressed that NAFA was conceptualised with a mission to create increased opportunities for youth through the game of American football.

“In the last couple of days, we have witnessed the budding fruits of that mission as we gathered in Calabar, witnessing the extraordinary talents of young athletes from across Nigeria.

“I am proud to say that NAFA’s dedication to transforming lives through sports is evident in the countless success stories that have emerged from our programmes, and this tournament will not be any different.

“We have recorded scholarships awarded to deserving athletes. Field officials have gone through various training and are now skilled and empowered.

“We have seen the profound impact that American football can have on individuals and communities, and I dare say it will keep getting better and better because we, as an organisation, in conjunction with our partners and relevant stakeholders, are ever committed to our mantra – the HUDDLE way – which stands for Health, Unity, Diversity, Development, Livelihood, and Entertainment. We will not relent in our efforts to continually make transformative changes in the lives of our youth.”

Also speaking, the chairman of Chanson and Bradley Company, Mr. Taiwo Adewole, said his company is saddled with the responsibility of managing and promoting American football across the country, and so far, it has been a great success.

He lauded the sporting arrangement and organisation by the Cross River State Government and expressed hope that the game would be promoted in all schools so that the country could begin to build a crop of players who can go as far as becoming some of the best in American football in the world.

Adewole, who is also the managing director and chief executive officer of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc, said beyond this, the sport is capable of changing the narrative of unemployment in Nigeria and helping to empower and give hope to the youth.

He called on the governments of all 36 states of the federation to embrace the game, which can help in the development of youth across the country.