By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Continental American Football League (CAFL) Africa has concluded arrangements to kick-start the African league of the tournament in Nigeria in 2027.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Commissioner of CAFL in charge of the African project, Muhammed El Muhammed, disclosed that the league, which is in partnership with Benue Television, is in Africa with a vision to domesticate American football on the continent.
Nigeria, the Commissioner revealed, was chosen as the first entry point for talent hunt in Africa, while Benue State was selected within Nigeria because of what he described as the hospitable nature of its people and potentials in sports.
Muhammed said that “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.”
The CAFL Commissioner expressed satisfaction with kick-starting the project in Benue, noting that the state is blessed with abundant talents in sports and other opportunities, expressing hope that the North-Central state would become a major tourist attraction when the league effectively takes off.
Muhammed said that he decided to introduce the game to Africa to bridge the gap between African players and their American counterparts.
He said that “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.”
While urging government and other stakeholders in sports as well as private investors to support the project and not to judge it by its humble beginning, Muhammed also disclosed that the CAFL project, which would commence in Nigeria in the first phase, will cover 16 states for talent hunt, after which coaches would expand the training to cover the entire country and then all of Africa, with Benue State as African headquarters.
According to him, trained coaches who have arrived the country and were currently in Lagos and Abuja, would teach the game and train interested youths, even as the project would create jobs and other opportunities.
Head of Marketing, Benue Television, Mr. Solomon Awua, who spoke on behalf of the partners, assured that the media organisation is committed to ensuring the success of the CAFL vision.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Muhammed.
