Nigeria Hosts First Wheelchair American Football Event

Nigeria is set to host its inaugural Wheelchair American Football Exhibition on Thursday, September 10, at the Outdoor Basketball Arena of the National Institute for Sports, located within the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. This exhibition is organized by American Football for Elite Development (AFEDEV) and aims to introduce an adaptive variant of American football that fosters inclusion, equal opportunity, leadership, and community participation for persons with disabilities.

Wheelchair American football, which originated in the United States, is typically played on an indoor court with participants using manual or power wheelchairs. The sport has seen steady growth as an adaptive sport over the decades.

The organizers have described this event as a historic occasion for Nigeria and have invited various stakeholders, including government agencies, diplomatic missions, corporate organizations, educational institutions, disability organizations, development partners, and media representatives to attend. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to expand American football in Nigeria, supported by organizations like the American Football Association of Nigeria, which has been developing flag and tackle football at the grassroots level.