Team Lagos emerged victorious, clinching the gold medal in the flag football demonstration at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, held at the African Church Grammar School in Abeokuta. The thrilling two-day event, which concluded yesterday, marked the sport’s historic debut in Nigeria’s premier sporting festival.
In a fiercely contested final, Lagos outplayed Team Abuja, who secured silver, while Team Kano claimed bronze. Eight states—Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ogun, Kaduna, Cross River, Enugu, and Ondo—competed, showcasing the rising popularity of flag football nationwide. A special exhibition match was also held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, captivating spectators.
Organized by Showtime Flag Football in collaboration with the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) and backed by the National Sports Commission under Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, the event highlighted the sport’s potential. Youth showcase matches further emphasized grassroots development.
The high-energy quarterfinals, semifinals, and final underscored flag football’s strategic depth and athletic appeal, cementing its place as a promising addition to Nigeria’s sporting landscape.