Nigeria is set to stage its first wheelchair American football exhibition, in a move aimed at creating greater opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete in organised sport.
Organised by American Football Elite Development, the exhibition will hold on Thursday, September 10, at the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Four teams — Lagos Dynamos, Iron Invicta, Liberty Pioneers and Atlantic Chargers — will compete in a knockout format, with the winners of the semi-finals advancing to the final.
The event follows more than two months of training and preparation, with AFEDEV seeking to raise awareness of wheelchair American football and encourage greater participation among people with disabilities.
AFEDEV founder, Lawrence Ojaideh, said the initiative was created to give athletes with limited opportunities a platform to showcase their abilities, while urging the media to highlight sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Nina Agwuna, said AFEDEV is seeking partnerships with communities and other stakeholders to support athletes who have been overlooked, noting that collaboration will be key to sustaining the programme.
Beyond the exhibition, AFEDEV plans to establish a wheelchair league and academy, alongside a tackle football programme for able-bodied players and an athlete identification and development system to track players from grassroots level to higher competition.
The organisation is also considering sponsorships, international partnerships, broadcasting, match-day activities and merchandise as funding streams to support facilities, equipment and athlete development.
