The Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) has launched a first of its kind women-focused flag football initiative in Nigeria in collaboration with the Cleveland Browns. The Gridiron Gems Program is a transformative drive designed to advance women’s participation in flag football, which launched this month with a Gridiron Gems flag football clinic.
“The Gridiron Gems Program is a bold step toward empowering female athletes by fostering skill development, mentorship, and leadership while advocating for gender equality in sports,” said NAFA President and Co-Founder Babajide Akeredolu. “It aims to create pathways for women to excel on and off the field, opening doors to educational opportunities, career growth, and community impact. We are excited to launch Gridiron Gems and inspire the next generation of female athletes while showcasing the power of women in sports.”
By aligning with this program, partners and supporters can contribute to Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is focused on achieving gender equality while creating lasting change in communities across Nigeria.
Going forward, the program will feature engaging panel discussions and networking opportunities, among other impactful activities. Within the next five years, Gridiron Gems aims to empower 250 girls in leadership roles in their communities, establish 50 grassroots-led initiatives across Nigeria, engage 150,000 females in various disciplines of American football, and certify 10,000 female coaches and officials.
The initiative also aims to position Nigeria’s flag football national teams as contenders to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The three-hour clinic exclusively for female coaches, game officials, and players attracted 200 participants and was coordinated by experienced African coaches and players, including Enjuh Enabel (Cameroon), Blessing Suleiman (Nigeria), and Maryam Michael (Nigeria). The clinic covered coaching excellence, philosophy, team management, and athlete development as well as officiating skills, rules, mechanics, and professionalism for game officials.
The Cleveland Browns are the first NFL team to be granted international marketing rights in Nigeria, aiming to grow the game of American football in the country through fan engagement, marketing, and community initiatives, including partnering with NAFA.
"The launch of the Gridiron Gems Initiative represents a bold step forward for women in sport in Nigeria," said Gridiron Gems program coordinator Nancy Damhindi. "This program serves as a platform for visibility, leadership and opportunity designed to ensure that young women can thrive both on and off the field.
“Through our strategic partnership with Browns Nigeria and the Cleveland Browns, we are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future in American football one where girls and women are not just included but are the bedrock of progress. The support and momentum we've seen so far signal that we're on the right track and we're just getting started."
Photo: NAFA
