The National Football League (NFL) has held the fourth edition of its annual NFL FLAG National Championship in Ghana, bringing together young flag football teams from across the country in a vibrant display of athleticism, teamwork, and sporting excellence.

The two-day championship, staged at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium in Accra, featured competitions in three categories — the 12U Co-Ed, 14U Girls, and 14U Boys divisions. Nima 1 emerged as the top team in the 12U Co-Ed division, Nima 1 Basic School took first place in the 14U Girls division, while St. Kizito Basic School clinched victory in the 14U Boys division.

Following their triumph, Nima 1 will represent Ghana at the NFL FLAG Africa Championship in 2026.

Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 3.4 million athletes participating in NFL FLAG programmes globally. The initiative serves as a platform for young athletes to experience the sport in a safe, inclusive, and competitive environment.

NFL FLAG programming was introduced in Ghana in 2022, starting with 10 schools in Accra. Since then, it has expanded to 30 schools nationwide, with Ghanaian teams representing the country at the 2023 and 2024 International NFL FLAG Tournaments held during the Pro Bowl Games in the United States.

“The annual NFL FLAG National Championship tournament in Ghana has emerged as a stage for top athletes from across the country to showcase their passion for the sport in a competitive and fun environment,” said Afia Law of NFL FLAG International. “It’s been inspiring to see the rapid growth of flag football in Ghana, and we’re excited to build on this momentum by creating more opportunities for youth athletes throughout the region to play this game.”

The sport’s popularity in Ghana has been fuelled by the support of NFL teams and players, particularly the Philadelphia Eagles, who have marketing rights in the country under the Global Markets Program. The Eagles have sponsored this year’s NFL FLAG Championship and continue to engage fans through game watch parties and flag football activities across Ghana.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Brian Asamoah, a Ghanaian-American, has also played a key role in promoting flag football locally. Last year, Asamoah led a delegation of NFL players and legends to Ghana for a flag football camp and scouting combine that allowed young athletes to demonstrate their skills before evaluators selecting members for Ghana’s national flag football team for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Asamoah remains an active ambassador for the sport, supporting a youth flag football league and mentoring young athletes in Ghana.

Earlier this year, the NFL and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) jointly organised a flag football coach education and officiating clinic in Ghana. The event attracted participants from 10 African countries and included both classroom sessions and practical field training, aimed at accelerating the sport’s development across the continent.

NFL FLAG, which operates in 12 international markets outside the United States, is recognised as the official flag football programme of the NFL. The sport continues to gain global traction, particularly among women and girls, offering a platform for youth to learn teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship through the fast-paced, non-contact version of American football.