First-Ever Africa Freestyle Football Tourney Holds In Lagos

Nigeria will play host to the first-ever Africa Freestyle Football Championship from 13-15 September in Lagos this year.

The tournament will be organised by Feet ‘n’ Tricks International in partnership with the World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA). PM EXPRESS reports that the African tournament is coming on the heels of the successful Nigerian Freestyle Championship held in 2017.

Freestyle football is described by the WFFA as “the art and sport of juggling a football using all parts of the body to entertain audiences and outperform opponents, a fusion of tricks with a ball, dance and music”.

Speaking at a media launch for the championship in Lagos at the weekend,  Chairman of Feet ‘n’ Tricks International, Valentine Ozigbo said that registration for this tournament is currently open to both male and female freestyles of African descent and will be closed on 15 August. Registration is being done on the company’s website, www.freeandtricks.com.

“The qualifying rounds and Nigerian championship will hold between 13 and 14 September at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. After the qualifying rounds, the best 16 male and 8 female freestyle athletes in Africa will emerge to battle it out at the grand finale on 15 September in a bid to become the first African male and female Freestyle Football Champions.

“The 2018 edition is being planned as a perfect fusion of freestyle football and entertainment as top musical and dance artistes will be performing. The final event will also host international freestyle professional, Guinness world record holder, Iya Traore and female freestyler, Raquet Benetti from Brazil.

“Prizes worth over $50,000 which includes a brand new salon car as well as qualification and sponsorship for the global championship will be won,” Ozigbo said.

“We are excited to pave a new direction for freestyle football in Africa. We expect at least 20 African countries to be represented at this championship in September as over half have already registered. We will work on the development of African freestyle talent and continually exploit all available resources to create more awareness for the sport and we are grateful to our sponsors and partners,” he said.