Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has revealed that American football will soon be introduced in schools in Ghana.
The Sports Minister made the announcement during a press briefing on Wednesday, indicating that the sport’s introduction is set to commence soon.
This initiative is being endorsed by the Office of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who collaborated with the National Football League (NFL) to conduct a special talent development programme in ten specific schools in Ghana last year.
From the talent development programme, ten young Ghanaians showed exceptional abilities, earning opportunities to represent Africa at the prestigious 2023 Pro Bowl, a special tournament preceding the famous Super Bowl.
Encouraged by the young Ghanaians’ success at the Pro Bowl, the Sports Minister believes that American football’s introduction will be beneficial to the youth in the country.
“We are excited to introduce this new sport to our children in the schools. Remarkably, these young Ghanaians placed 4th behind experienced participants like the USA, Mexico and Australia,” he said.
“The partnership with the NFL continues and later this year, the number of participating schools is expected to increase in the 2nd edition of the developmental NFL Flag Football Competition, which will also select the best players for next year’s Pro Bowl.”
American football is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.