Nigeria is set to host its maiden Wheelchair American Football Exhibition on Thursday, September 10, at the Outdoor Basketball Arena of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The exhibition, organised by American Football for Elite Development (AFEDEV), will introduce an adaptive form of American football designed to promote inclusion, equal opportunities, leadership and community participation among persons with disabilities.
Wheelchair American football originated in the United States and is typically played on an indoor court by athletes using manual or power wheelchairs. The adaptive sport has continued to gain recognition as an avenue for persons with disabilities to participate competitively in American football.
Organisers described the exhibition as a landmark event for Nigeria and have invited government agencies, diplomatic missions, corporate organisations, educational institutions, disability organisations, development partners and members of the media to witness the historic occasion.
The event comes amid growing efforts to develop American football in Nigeria, with organisations such as the American Football Association of Nigeria promoting flag and tackle football at the grassroots level.
Through the exhibition, AFEDEV aims to broaden the reach of the sport by creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in American football, marking what organisers describe as a new chapter for adaptive sports development and disability inclusion in Nigeria.
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