NFL organizes Africa Camp in Ghana

American football is USA’s most popular sport for years and National Football League (NFL) is always trying to attract more fans and players worldwide. And according to that policy, they have decided to explore Africa. NFL announced they will host it’s first event in Africa during June 2022, with Ghana the selected country. For two days (21-22 June), a host of current NFL players with African roots will be in the capital Accra for the inaugural NFL Africa Camp. The week of activities - labelled 'NFL Africa: The Touchdown' - will also feature a fan event and a clinic about ’flag football’, which is a simplier version of this sport, with no contacts allowed.

Osi Umenyiora, a two-time Super Bowl winner, born in England to Nigerian parents will led the regional camps for which 40 players have been selected. Umenyiora has already established a football programme in Nigeria - called the Uprise - and has held recent camps there as well as in Ghana and South Africa.

"This is a truly remarkable initiative. This camp is not only giving opportunities to great African athletes, it is also highlighting the incredible African athletes already in the NFL. The positive impact of this cannot be overstated" Umenyiora said of the NFL's plans.

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And his camp is already paying dividends. This year, three players that were discovered through Umenyiora's Uprise programme have signed with NFL teams - Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka (New York Giants), Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, (Arizona Cardinals), and Kehinde Hassan Oginni (Kansas City Chiefs).

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At the moment, over 100 players of African descent are involved in the USA’s most popular sport and the most famous are Seattle Seahawks Uchenna Nwosu and Houston Texans Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Nigeria), Cleveland Browns Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Ghanaian) and Indianapolis Colts Kwity Paye (Liberian).

"We look forward to hosting our first camp in Ghana and will look to activate in Nigeria and other African countries in the future. We want to provide an opportunity for the next generation of African prospects to showcase and further develop their talent. As we continue to look for ways to strengthen the pipeline of international players, we hope this camp, and future camps, provide a path for aspiring players from across the continent" said Damani Leech, NFL Chief Operating Officer of International.