Nigeria Drone Soccer League to Select 720 Young Athletes

The Nigeria Drone Soccer League (NDSL) is targeting approximately 720 young athletes for its inaugural national competition scheduled for 2027. The league aims to merge sports with technology education and career development.

Nationwide selection exercises are being conducted to identify young individuals who will represent their states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in this innovative sport that combines drone piloting with soccer-style competition. During the North-Central Combine held at Starville School, Jahi II, Abuja, NDSL President Sam Gaadi stated that thousands of candidates had applied, but only 20 athletes would be selected from each participating state and the FCT.

Candidates will undergo an aptitude test, a written statement of purpose, and a complex coordination test to determine their overall scores for advancement. The league will operate across six conferences covering Nigeria's geopolitical zones, with another selection exercise planned for Gombe for the North-East Conference.

The league's calendar will accommodate students' academic commitments, and participants will gain practical skills in drone piloting, engineering, and maintenance.