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The GRIDARON GEMS initiative, an emblematic program of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), has successfully completed its flag football activation at the Special Correctional Center for Girls, IDI-ARABA, Lagos.
The activation marked the grand final of a one -month commitment focused on the empowerment, inclusion and construction of skills.
The girls, who proudly wore t -shirts that designed and sewed as part of a vocational program, went out to the field with emotion for a day of structured scrimmages and team activities.
The event introduced the foundations of the American flag football to the girls while promoting teamwork, discipline and confidence through sport.
Divided into four teams (Emerald, Topaz, Ruby and Zircon, the girls exhibited impressive enthusiasm, agility and team spirit throughout the day.
Nancy Damhindi, Coordinator of the GRIDARON GEMS initiative program, shared that this event was never football.
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“It’s about helping young people to look in new strong, capable and potential ways. Sport is simply a tool to unlock that power.”
In addition, he said: “Our goal is to build a complete portfolio of opportunities for Nigeria girls to participate in sports, either as athletes, coaches or leaders.”
Although girls could not be interviewed due to safeguard policies, the atmosphere of pride, laughs and brotherhood spoke a lot.
The cheers sounded when the teammates leaned on each other in the field, embodying some central values of the Gridion Gems initiative: courage, inclusion and community.
Oluwatobi Abe, who coordinated all matches and the game for activation, praised girls for their commitment and discipline. “This was an activation like no other,” he said.
“The girls realized very fast, and they would not believe that we have only been here for a few hours. They are excited about sport and hope to explore it more.”
Special appreciation was extended to the Government of the State of Lagos, Browns Nigeria and Hope behind the bars of Africa, whose association and defense helped to give life to the vision of this activation.
As the day closed, one thing was clear: activation may have been for a few hours, but the impact will be lasting.
The Gidar Gems initiative continues to grow, creating safe and empowered spaces for girls to learn, lead, shine both inside and outside the field.
