By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
The Continental American Football League (CAFL), Africa, has announced plans to commence its African football project in Nigeria between March and April 2027, with Benue State serving as the headquarters of the initiative.
The Commissioner of CAFL in charge of the African project, Muhammad El Muhammad, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press conference held at Nnam Hotel, Makurdi.
Muhammad said the initiative, being executed in partnership with Benue Television, was designed to domesticate American football in Africa while creating opportunities for young people across the continent.
He explained that Nigeria was selected as the first entry point for the talent discovery programme because of the country’s rich sporting potential, while Benue was chosen as the base of operations due to its hospitality and reputation for producing sporting talents.
“Introducing American football to Africa will not only expose youths to economic opportunities but will also provide jobs. Nigeria was chosen as African headquarters because the country has showcased great talents and capabilities to the world in different sports,” he said.
The commissioner expressed optimism about the prospects of the project in Benue, describing the state as a place with abundant sporting talents and other opportunities.
He said the establishment of the project in the state could also contribute to tourism and economic activities, adding that the initiative was conceived to bridge the gap between African players and their counterparts in the United States.
According to him, young Americans interested in the sport often begin training at an early age, whereas African players seeking opportunities in the United States sometimes require additional years of intensive training before they can compete effectively.
“It is unacceptable that American youths interested in the game start as early as five years, while Africans going to America to play wait two or three years to undergo vigorous training before full action.
“With this project targeting the entire Africa, interested youths will be trained properly by seasoned coaches so that by the time they go to the USA, they are ready for action,” Muhammad said.
He called on governments, sports stakeholders and private investors to support the initiative, urging them not to judge the project by its humble beginning.
Muhammad disclosed that the first phase of the programme would involve talent discovery in 16 states, after which the training programme would be expanded to other parts of Nigeria and subsequently across Africa, with Benue retaining its position as the continental headquarters.
He added that trained coaches already in Nigeria, including those currently based in Lagos and Abuja, would commence the process of teaching and training interested youths in the sport.
He said the initiative was expected to create employment, develop sporting talents and open up new economic opportunities for young Nigerians and other Africans.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, the Head of Marketing, Benue Television, Mr Solomon Awua, assured CAFL of the organisation’s commitment to supporting the project and ensuring the success of the vision.
Awua said Benue Television would deploy its media platform towards promoting the initiative and helping to establish a lasting legacy for American football development in Africa.
