To
The President and Government Board
Worldwide Federation of American Soccer (IFAF)
We write this open letter within the spirit of respect, readability, and the shared goal of defending the integrity and sustainable development of flag soccer and American soccer globally.
IFAF has constantly acknowledged—and rightly so—that it’s a member-based organisation, with membership restricted to 1 recognised Nationwide Federation per nation, topic to obviously outlined standards and approval by friends on the IFAF Congress. This precept is foundational to good governance, worldwide legitimacy, and alignment with nationwide sports activities authorities the world over.
It’s due to this fact necessary to restate a key truth clearly and with out ambiguity:
Nigeria at present doesn’t have a government-recognised Flag Soccer Federation.
This place has been formally and publicly confirmed by the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) of Nigeria, the one physique empowered below Nigerian regulation to recognise and regulate sports activities federations. In its official press assertion dated December 2, 2025, the NSC made it unequivocally clear that:
No affiliation or physique is recognised to characterize Nigeria in worldwide flag soccer competitions
No group has authority to behave on behalf of Nigeria
The NSC is actively finalising a unified nationwide federation and can conduct elections instantly after its inauguration
Towards this backdrop, issues have arisen concerning the conduct and public posture of an Related Member of IFAF in Nigeria, working below the title American Soccer Associations of Nigeria (NAFA).
Whereas IFAF’s framework permits for Related Membership, it’s universally understood that such standing doesn’t confer nationwide illustration rights, nor does it override the authority of a rustic’s legally constituted sports activities regulator. Related Membership is, by definition, interim, restricted, and non-sovereign—a bridge, not a vacation spot.
But in Nigeria, actions have been taken that seem to blur this distinction. Communications have been issued that current the Related Member as a nationwide authority, partaking stakeholders and positioning itself as a unifying physique at a time when the NSC has explicitly acknowledged that no such mandate exists and that every one processes are at present below authorities supervision.
This example dangers creating confusion amongst athletes, coaches, worldwide companions, and the general public, and will inadvertently place IFAF in battle with Nigeria’s lawful sports activities governance framework—one thing we’re assured the Federation doesn’t intend.
We due to this fact respectfully however firmly name on IFAF to:
1. Publicly reaffirm the boundaries of Related Membership in Nigeria, making clear that it doesn’t equate to nationwide illustration.
2. Direct the Related Member in Nigeria to stop any actions or communications that suggest nationwide authority or exclusivity.
3. Align absolutely with the Nationwide Sports activities Fee of Nigeria throughout this transitional interval, recognising that solely a government-approved federation may be elevated to Full Membership.
4. Await the formal inauguration of Nigeria’s Flag Soccer Federation earlier than partaking in any membership improve or recognition course of.
Nigeria is at a vital second within the improvement of flag soccer. The game has momentum, expertise, and international relevance—nevertheless it additionally requires order, unity, and respect for nationwide regulation to thrive.
