Lawrence Ojaideh, Head of Operations, Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), the organisers of the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL) has described the third edition of the league a huge success.
Ojaideh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Lagos on Sunday that the edition had given the organisers hope of a brighter future.
He said that more schools participated in the event, thereby spreading the knowledge of the sport among secondary schools within the country.
Ojaideh said that the competition, which kicked off in Oct. 7, featured no fewer than 168 secondary schools from 14 states of the federation .
“The National Finals of the NSSFFL was flagged off in the Season 3 Akweti Bowl II American Football Tournament by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr Peter Odey.
“At the end, ten schools from ten states competed for the national championship honours ,which rounded off on Jan.16 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross Rivers.
“Lagos State’s eventually emerged champions in the male category through Ikeja Grammar School, while in the female category ,Army Cantonment Girls Secondary School emerged champions,” Ojaideh said
He added that top dignitaries, who graced the finals included the Cross Rivers State Deputy Governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem.
“Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State was represented by Ekaette Ebong.
“Also present were the Cross River State Sport Development Commissioner, Agnes Atsu; and Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Sport Development, Samuel Ekpala.
“Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Special Duties, also attended the finals,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NAFA President, Babajide Akeredolu, used the event to share his American Football vision with guests and, thereafter, rewarded the winners.
Akeredolu rewarded Lagos State with N1 million each for the male and female teams; while the 1st runner-up from Akwa Ibom went home with N750,000 in both male and female categories.
Cross River State got N300,000 as male 2nd runner-up. The 3rd place winners for girls, FCT got N300,000.
Additional N20 million scholarships were separately awarded to the male and female teams of Lagos State. (NAN)
