The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) has officially launched the AKETI BOWL III national finals, marking a significant milestone in the growth of flag football across Nigerian secondary schools. The tournament, which commenced on Thursday in Abuja, demonstrates NAFA's continued commitment to creating valuable opportunities for young Nigerians through structured school sports programs.
Enhanced Technical Capacity and Competition Standards
This year's edition features substantial improvements in technical operations, including certified officiating crews, upgraded game management systems, and enhanced athlete-welfare protocols. Oluwaseye Obatolu, NAFA Vice President, revealed these developments during a press briefing in Abuja, emphasizing that the tournament's expansion reflects the inclusive nature of flag football.
"This sport serves as an affordable gateway to teamwork, discipline, and leadership development," Obatolu stated. He highlighted the competition's evolution from an experimental concept to "a data-driven, partnership-powered success story" that has become one of Nigeria's fastest-growing school sports ecosystems.
Honoring a Legacy and Empowering Young Athletes
The championship bears the name of NAFA's founding chairman, the late Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, whose visionary leadership established enduring structures for the sport. Obatolu noted that the tournament stands as a living testament to this legacy, emphasizing their mandate to maintain "a winning system that endures across generations."
This year's finals feature an elite competitive field, with seven states successfully meeting the qualification benchmarks after preliminary competitions involving eleven states. Each qualifying state is presenting both male and female teams, significantly raising the competitive standard and showcasing the depth of talent developing nationwide.
Comprehensive Development and Future Pathways
The Gridiron Gems Initiative will provide special focus on female athletes through seminars covering leadership, mentorship, hygiene, and personal development, while parallel sessions will engage male participants. Oluwatobi Abe, League Coordinator, emphasized the tournament's role as a crucial bridge for young athletes.
"For many of these young players, this week represents not just a final competition, but a doorway to collegiate opportunities, exposure, and a growing national pipeline that prevents them from aging out of the sport after secondary school," Abe explained.
Significant incentives await this year's champions, including university scholarships at partner institutions and substantial cash prizes: ₦1,000,000 for first-place winners in both male and female categories, ₦750,000 for second place, and ₦350,000 for third place.
Representing the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Pastor Emmanuel Ibony praised the program's positive impact on youth engagement and announced the formalization of the NSSF-NAFA collaboration into a five-year partnership, ensuring continuity and sustainable development for flag football across Nigeria.
