By Akanimo Kufre, Calabar
Lagos State’s female and male teams on Thursday overcame their Akwa Ibom State counterparts to win the National Flag Football Tournament at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Akwa Ibom girls overcame FCT to advance to the final, while Lagos female defeated Team Kwara to secure the last spot. In the male category, Akwa Ibom boys defeated Oyo as Lagos showed superiority over the Cross River team.
In both male and female finals played on Thursday , Lagos defeated Akwa Ibom State to become the new champions. The Akwa Ibom girls were more heartbroken, with a narrow 14 – 12 points loss to Lagos.
The former male Champions, Team Akwa Ibom, relinquished the crown to Lagos following a final score of 22 -12.
Top dignitaries who enjoyed the finals include Cross Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Peter Odey, the Speaker of the House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem while Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State was represented by Rt. Hon. Ekaette Ebong. Also present was the Cross River State Sport Development Commissioner, Mrs. Agnes Atsu and many other states officials.
The NAFA President, Mr Babajide Akeredolu, used the event to share his American Football vision with guests and thereafter rewarded the winners, Lagos State, with N1 million each. The 1st runner-up Akwa Ibom went home with N750,000 in both male and female categories, while Cross River State got N300,000 as male 2nd runner-up. The 3rd place winners for girls, FCT got N300,000.
Additional N20 million scholarships were separately awarded to the male and female teams of Lagos State.