The 2019 edition of the African Freestyle Football Championship organised by Feet ‘n’ Tricks under the authority of World Freestyle Football Association commenced on a colourful note on Saturday in Lagos.
John Benjamin emerged winner of the Lagos Regional Championship following a keenly-contested final with Larry Etuduvwun with Taiwo Oni finishing third.
Over 60 participants were on hand to thrill the lively fans with sensational ball juggling skills all day at the iconic Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
Super Falcons forward, Rashidat Ajibade, who is the defending champions of the women’s event of the championships, will be aiming for her third straight title when the crème-de-la-crème gather in the final later in the year.
The highlights of the event saw dreadlocks-wearing Oni twins, Taiwo and Kehinde going as far as the semifinals before the teenagers bowed out to Benjamin and Etuduvwun.
For the endeavour, the top three in both the male and female categories went home with the sum of N100,000, N75,000 and N50,000 for first, second and third place position.
Feet ‘n’ Tricks Chairman, Valentine Ozigbo, expressed delight at the growing enthusiasm of youths to freestyle football stating it was getting bigger in terms of participation and awareness across the country.
He also revealed that the Championships would be covered live by Startimes in 30 countries in Africa where they are present and also on their digital channels
The Lagos championship marked the start of the four regional championships in Nigeria with Delta State, the next port of call for the ball juggling extravaganza on Sunday, June 30 at the Brownhill Dvent Centre, Warri.
Owerri, the capital of Imo State, will then hold the penultimate regional championship on July 6 at Cubans Lounge before the series will climax in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on July 13 at Central Park.
The grand finale is scheduled for Lagos on September 14 and 15 with over 100 participants representing about 30 countries expected to participate.
Last year, prizes with more than $50, 000 were won including a brand new car for the champion who was also sponsored to the World Championship.
