Officials of the third-tier Nigerian Nationwide League One (NLO) have used a grassroots football competition organised by a private individual in the Abuja suburb of Gwagwalada to test-run AI-powered digital cameras ahead of the new season.
READ ALSO: Nwakaeme Turns Focus On Trabzonspor’s Next Turjish Duper Lig Game Versus Alanyaspor
Sports247 gathered that the test-run was done in preparation for the 2026 NLO season, which is scheduled to kick-off this Friday, with an opening day commemorative fixture between Flight FC and NYSC FC in Makurdi, Benue State.
This was disclosed by the NLO’s chief operating officer, Mr Olushola Ogunnowo, while speaking at the final of Sarki Karshi Unity Pre-season Tournament in Karshi, Abuja, which he said provided clubs a platform to prepare for the league’s new term.
Ogunnowo praised the consistency and commitment of the organizers in sustaining the competition, which is widely regarded as a very viable forum to help NLO clubs fine-tune their squads and strategies ahead of a competitive league campaign.
He also noted that the organizer had earlier in the year staged a similar competition in Gwagwalada, Abuja, which the NLO supported, because it gave an opportunity for the third-tier league body to test technological innovations for the new season.
“We used that opportunity to test-run some of the AI-powered digital cameras and other equipment that we are going to deploy in the NLO League. The organizers have shown genuine interest in the development of grassroots football.
“They deserve commendation. I have to commend the coordinator of the tournament, Patrick Ngwaogu, popularly known as Odogwu, for the passion and interest he has shown in putting this tournament together,” Ogunnowo euloogised.
