Nigeria boosts flag football participation

Nigeria has become a key player in the growth of flag football across Africa, as participation surged by an impressive 85 per cent since 2023, PUNCH Sports Extra report.

According to the International Federation of American Football, the rise in popularity of the sport highlights Nigeria’s commitment to developing young talent and expanding the game’s reach in the region, as the country’s national flag football federation has already engaged over 13,000 youths, showcasing the tremendous potential for flag football to become a staple sport in Nigeria.

IFAF pointed out this growth ahead of the inaugural 2025 IFAF African Flag Football Championships, AFRICA FLAG 2025, set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from June 20 to 21.

The event, being the first-ever IFAF Continental Championships in Africa, will feature elite men’s and women’s national teams from across the continent, with Nigeria expected to field competitive teams.

The tournament offers a pathway for African nations to qualify for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships and is part of a broader effort to promote flag football’s historic inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

IFAF also stated that Nigeria’s participation in the event was part of a growing collaboration between them and the National Football League, which aimed to accelerate flag football’s development across Africa.

“Since 2023 participation in flag football has surged with Egypt and Nigeria seeing increases of 149% and 85 per cent, respectively. In Nigeria, the national federation’s outreach program has already engaged more than 13,000 young people, highlighting the sport’s expanding reach and appeal,” IFAF wrote.

As part of the festivities, youth teams from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt will compete in the NFL Flag Continental Championship, a multi-day event that will exhibit the next generation of flag football athletes.

The event in Cairo will also feature a football talent identification program, with Nigerian prospects having the opportunity to show their skills in front of scouts as successful athletes will be considered for the NFL Academy Europe-Africa program and the International Player Pathway, which could provide further opportunities to develop within global American football.