The governor of Ondo State and Chairman, Western Nigeria Governors Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has urged the Nigerian-American Football Association (NAFA) and Lagos Marine American Football Club to consider visiting his state for talent-hunt.
He also promised to partner the organisations to use sports to grow wealth and promote peace in Nigeria.
The governor spoke at the maiden edition of American Flagship Football exhibition game held at the National Stadium, Surelere, Lagos.
The Exhibition game was played between Lagos Marine Islanders and Lagos Marine Mainlanders. The Mainlanders scored 28 points while the Islanders scored 6 points.
The governor assured that he would use his connections across the length and breadth of Nigeria to revolutionise the growth of American Flagship Football Game in the country.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Barr. Dotun Owanikin, Akeredolu said, “Sporting competition provides good answers for our youths to engage in healthy and lasting relationships, with sound minds in healthy bodies. Athletes are trained to be disciplined to be honest and inculcate cooperative attitude towards others.
“Therefore, I urge all the youths participating in this exhibition to openly leverage on this opportunity to engage themselves and improve their skills in order to add value to themselves and thereby take Nigeria to an enviable height among the comity of football nations.”
The Founder and Chairman of NAFA, Mr. Babajide Akeredolu said the purpose of the exhibition game was to create awareness on the existence and importance of the American Flagship Football game in Nigeria.
This, he said, would enable Nigerians especially the younger generation to have opportunities to exhibit their talents, get exposed to the world and become great in life.
“People focus more on football round-leather game in Nigeria but we want to offer Nigerians and investors to a new dimension. Flagship football is an alternative to Round-leather Football and Rugby. It is very exciting. It is the most lucrative game in United States of America after Basket Ball. It is also good for health.
“By the grace of God and the support of Nigerians, we are starting a league in March. Aside the two teams of Lagos Marine, some teams based in the South-South, East and North have registered. We will hit Nigeria by storm and the youth shall be great for it,” he said.
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