The National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), as part of ongoing efforts to grow the game has hosted a four-day series of flag football development clinics in Ghana.
The event marked the electrifying beginning of something monumental for Africa, uniting passionate local educators, world-class international coaches, and influential global federation leaders under one vibrant, game-changing roof.
Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with millions of players participating across more than 100 countries.
Ghana, alongside ten other African nations, has been privileged to benefit from this forward-thinking programme designed with a long-term vision to empower these educators with the tools, training, and resources needed to introduce, nurture, and scale the sport across schools nationwide.
Madam Afia Law, International Flag Football Development Manager at the National Football League, addressing participants, emphasized “Flag football continues to create new opportunities for athletes and communities around the world.”
She added that the team was proud to have selected Ghana, among other countries, to also partner with federations to expand access to the game and create sustainable pathways for growth across the region.
Together, the sessions emphasized both grassroots access and high-performance development, reflecting the NFL and IFAF’s shared commitment to building sustainable pathways for flag football at all levels of the game.
Mr. Lars Carlsen, Sport Manager at the International Federation of American Football, also underscored the significance of the clinic, stating that programmes like this demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving the global development of flag football.
“By working together with partners like the NFL, we are able to support national federations, strengthen coaching structures and continue building momentum for the sport as it grows internationally and moves toward its Olympic future.”
The four-day programming began with two days of locally focused development in Ghana, including a teachers clinic that provided a free opportunity for approximately 40 educators involved in the NFL Flag program.
Sessions also focused on building coaching frameworks, developing sustainable school-based programs and introducing game fundamentals, with on-field drills and gameplay offering participants hands-on experience in implementing what they learned.
The final two days expanded to an international focus, as the Africa Coaching Clinic brought together IFAF delegates and coaches from across the continent for on-field instruction, collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The clinic featured participation from a retired Olympic sprinter from Sierra Leone, underscoring the increasing connection between flag football and the Olympic movement.
