Dikko Assures Equal Opportunities To All Sports As Nigerian Flag Football Teams Present African Trophies

The Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for young Nigerian athletes to thrive, regardless of the sport they choose so long as they demonstrate talent and dedication.

Mallam Dikko gave this assurance on Monday at his office in the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, during a reception held in honour of the victorious male and female Nigerian Flag Football teams. The teams had just returned from Cairo, Egypt, where they triumphed at the inaugural African Flag Football Continental Championship, held from June 20 to 21.

The Nigerian teams dominated the tournament, clinching trophies in both the male and female categories. The men’s team edged out host nation Egypt in a thrilling match that ended 13–12, while the women’s team convincingly defeated Morocco 26–12. The Developmental team of U-13 players also finished 3rd at the tournament.

Commending the players and their officials, Dikko praised their achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian sports.

“This is the kind of vision we must uphold to harness the immense talent across Nigeria and channel it productively. We have the population and the potential. Let us use it to build a better future through sports,” he said.

He lauded the President of the Nigerian American Football Association, Mr. Babajide Akeredolu, for his dedication and leadership, which he said has placed Nigeria on the continental sports map.

“You have shown great passion and worked diligently to grow this sport. Now that you’ve conquered Africa, the world is your next challenge,” Dikko added.

Mallam Dikko also revealed that the Commission plans to prioritize flag football as part of its broader reform of school sports. He expressed confidence that with proper integration and support, the sport could yield medals for Nigeria at future African Games and possibly at the Olympics. He further assured that the NSC will be glad to upscale the association to a federation based on the huge progress made so far and the potentials of the sport.

Earlier, Mr. Babajide Akeredolu expressed gratitude to the Commission for its support, which he described as instrumental to the team’s success.

“The mandate and backing from the Commission served as the motivation we needed. This victory means a lot, as Nigeria is now the first-ever African champion in flag football and the continent’s sole representative at the next World Games and hopefully we will clinch Africa’s only ticket to the next Olympics”,he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Musa Amadu, Senior Special Adviser on Strategy, Legal Matters and Administration to the Chairman and former Secretary General of the Nigerian Football Federation, congratulated the team on their double victory. He emphasized that flag football’s inclusivity, being accessible to both male and female athletes positions it as a sport with immense growth potential in Nigeria.

The event concluded with a presentation of the trophies to the Chairman, symbolizing a proud moment for Nigerian sports and a promising future for flag football on both national and international stages.