The battle for valuable league positions intensifies on Sunday as Showtime Flag Football League Season XV enters Gameweek 7, with ten teams chasing crucial victories at Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki, Lagos.

With six rounds completed in the 18-gameweek regular season, the competition is approaching a significant stage where every victory could influence championship ambitions, playoff qualification and the eventual postseason seedings.

Defending champions Lagos Knights remain one of the teams to beat following their emphatic 45–19 victory over Cross River Ikan Sports in Gameweek 6.

Inspired by quarterback Kayode Mafe, who delivered six touchdown passes and 263 passing yards in that encounter, the Knights face Ibom Raptors at 5:20 pm knowing another victory would strengthen their challenge near the top of the standings.

For the Raptors, the fixture represents an opportunity to secure a major result against the reigning champions and improve their position in the playoff race.

The afternoon begins at 1:20 pm when Cross River Ikan Sports meet Rivers Alphas, with both teams seeking an important boost to their campaigns.

Cross River will be determined to recover from their defeat to the Knights, while Rivers must respond after losing 19–8 to Delta Panthers in Gameweek 6. Another setback would increase the pressure on the Alphas as the regular season progresses.

At 2:40 pm, Lagos Greenbacks confront Gateway Horns in a contest that could prove significant in the battle for stronger league positions.

Greenbacks have already demonstrated their ability to upset established opponents, notably defeating two-time champions Abia Warriors in Gameweek 5. Quarterback Oluremi Jedidiah will again be central to their hopes.

Lagos Rebels meet Abia Warriors at 4:00 pm in another potentially decisive encounter.

The Warriors, champions of Showtime Bowl XII and XIII, are seeking to reclaim the title they lost to Lagos Knights last season. The Rebels, meanwhile, have an opportunity to make a statement against one of the competition’s most successful teams.

The final fixture at 6:40 pm brings an intriguing regional rivalry as Delta Braves face Delta Panthers.

Panthers quarterback Jite Ughojor and receiver Isaac Unwana James, who scored two touchdowns against Rivers Alphas, will be key figures as both Delta sides battle for local bragging rights and valuable league progress.

Beyond the standings, Gameweek 7 represents another opportunity for Showtime to strengthen its ambition of becoming Africa’s flagship flag football league.

With recognisable players, competitive rivalries, a structured championship and flag football preparing for its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Showtime is building a sporting product with growing potential for international audiences, broadcasters, sponsors and investors.

For the ten teams, however, Sunday’s immediate priority is straightforward: win, improve their standing and keep their championship ambitions alive.

THE GAME IS THE SHOW!

The post Showtime Season XV Gameweek 7: Africa’s Flag Football Powerhouse Ignites Title Race as Knights, Warriors and Challengers Battle for Crucial Positions appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Former table tennis player and coach Engore Toun has called on the government to increase investment in grassroots sports development, particularly through the provision of sports facilities for young athletes.

Speaking in an interview on the second day of the maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), Toun expressed concern over the shortage of accessible sports facilities and declining corporate sponsorship for sports.

Toun said sports sponsorship and government support were better during her active years, when companies regularly sponsored competitions and athletes had more opportunities to train, travel and compete.

She mentioned companies such as Cadbury, Lever Brothers and some banks as examples of organisations that supported sports in the past. She said this level of support is no longer common.

“In those days, there was more seriousness in sponsorship of sports than now. A lot of companies sponsored competitions, but these days, we don’t have that anymore,” she said.

Toun also expressed concern about the lack of sports facilities for young people, particularly in Lagos. She said many children and teenagers have no proper sports centres or training grounds where they can spend their time and develop their talents.

According to her, building more sports halls and arenas would give young people the chance to take part in sports instead of spending their time on the streets.

She believes some of these young athletes could go on to represent Nigeria and win medals at major competitions if they are given the right support.

“To me, what we want from the government is to be serious with sports and with junior development… what I think the government should do is for the government to engage these children more in sports,” she said.

Toun also looked back on her time as an athlete, recalling how competitors in her generation travelled more, attended training camps and took part in more competitions. She added that winning medals was a major motivation for athletes at the time.

Speaking about the reunion with former athletes, she described it as a lovely experience, especially as some of them had not seen each other for 30 or 40 years.

“We were all acting like babies, all acting as if we are still in the game and just enjoying ourselves. It’s nice, just seeing ourselves again. We are alive, we are good, even though all of us are walking about with injuries from representing the country.

But it’s just good to see. Some of us have not seen each other for 40 years, 30 years, and we are now coming together and seeing each other. It’s beautiful,” she said.

She said seeing familiar faces again brought back memories of their days in sports. Despite the injuries many of them sustained while representing the country, she was happy they could come together again and enjoy the moment.

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Former Nigerian volleyball player Hon. Rabi Mary Egunje has urged young female athletes to understand their worth, remain focused, and resist pressures that could undermine their sporting careers.

Egunje said mentorship from retired sportswomen could help young athletes navigate challenges both on and off the field, including menstrual health, inappropriate conduct and the demands of competition.

Speaking with Sports247 on the second day of activities for the maiden AGM of the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN), she explained that AFFAN was established to address the lack of support available to women after retirement and create a platform for experienced athletes to guide the next generation.

“Before now, there was nothing for women after sports. And we just thought coming together, it’d be able to help and mentor the young ones coming ahead,” she said.

According to Egunje, former athletes understand some of the challenges young sportswomen face because they have experienced them during their own careers. She said menstrual periods should not automatically prevent athletes from taking part in competitions, even when they fall on important tournament days.

“It doesn’t matter. You will still go to your tournaments, compete even when you are having it,” she said, stressing the need to counsel young athletes on issues affecting women in sports.

She also warned against sports harassment and the pressure some athletes may face from people in positions of influence. Egunje said young women should not believe that compromising themselves is the route to becoming champions.

“It’s not after going with your coach that makes you a champion. No, you must know who you are, and you must know what you want. And you must be prepared to train,” she said.

During her career, Egunje represented Nigeria at the All African Games and competed in NUGA, school competitions and National Sports Festivals for Edo State. She also took part in an international championship qualifier, although her team did not qualify for the main competition.

She maintained that the experiences and collective support of former athletes could help younger sportswomen make better decisions and build successful careers both within and beyond sports.

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