NAFA offers U.S. scholarships to 36 football players

The Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), in conjunction with Gridiron Imports Foundation, has finalised plans to sponsor 36 players to U.S. high schools, universities and colleges, as part of efforts to develop the sport in the country.

NAFA said the selected boys from age 14 to 20 were identified through a national screening programme held at the University of Lagos Sports Complex early this month.

Speaking on the scholarship, NAFA President, Babajide Akeredolu, commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for supporting the federation’s awareness drive for American football and also encouraging more youths to take part in sports.

“The national scouting programme organised by NAFA, which was held this December at the University of Lagos, has given over 36 athletes opportunity to further their education in the United States of America.

“The NAFA board has also initiated a move to structure the sport throughout the federation to enable fast and easy management process and allow leadership at regional level, which will be by elections, but the first group will be by appointment.

“NAFA has only identified prospects for the national team with the help of Gridiron Imports Foundation. We intend to open a regional selection process across the geopolitical zones in early 2024 for national team trials.

“NAFA also intends to give automatic tickets to the 36 identified players in the Lagos screening to enter the main camp for final national team screening, while other players interested in the sport will follow a requirement at the regional level.”

Akeredolu also said plans are on to include girls in the exercise in future.

CEO of Gridiron Imports Foundation, Chris Adamson, whose organisation was part of the talents hunt, said he enjoyed every minute he spent on the field with the athletes presented by NAFA and promised to make the education scholarship opportunity available on a yearly basis.

“The 36 players were selected out of over 160 that attended the screening. They are currently in the process of getting the U.S. scholarship. They were selected because of their intellect, reasoning, academic performance, and they also met the academic result required to study in the U.S. They are already processing their forms with the U.S. organisation,” he said.