Dylan Bettencourt
The American National Football League (NFL) is searching for their next generation of players in Africa.
The NFL announced that it would be hosting its first events in Africa later this month and several of their players will head to Ghana later this month to host the NFL Africa Camp in Accra on 21 and 22 June.
The camp will be led by NFL star Osi Umenyiora, a two-time Super Bowl winner who has Nigerian parents.
The 40-year-old established an American football programme in Nigeria called Uprise while also hosting events in South Africa.
“This is a truly remarkable initiative,” Umenyiora said.
“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.”
There are over 100 players in the NFL who have an African heritage, who were born in Africa or were born to African parents.
NFL Chief Operating Officer of International Damani Leech said the league is looking to host more events in Africa in the future.
“We want to provide an opportunity for the next generation of African prospects to showcase and develop their talent,” Leech said.
“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.”
This year has seen three players who were discovered through the Uprise programme in Nigeria who have signed with NFL teams.
Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka (New York Giants), Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, (Arizona Cardinals), and Kehinde Hassan Oginni (Kansas City Chiefs) have all come through the Nigerian Uprise ranks.
Image source: @TheMirror
