Recognizing that football is not just a sport but a language of peace and togetherness, Oluwatosin Ajeigbe in 2017, founded the BFL, Banny Football League. The BFL was inspired from the streets of Banire, Surulere, Lagos. As a football enthusiast, Oluwatosin Ajeigbe’s goal has always been to attract and repurpose the focus and creative energy of youths in the community away from illegal activities such as gambling, drug peddling and thuggery, through self-discipline and sportsmanship, and also to educate the youths on living a responsible life.
The BFL is a modified and creative football mini-league which uses European teams in a league mode and cup mode battling for the BFL crown. When asked why the league doesn’t use names of local teams, Oluwatosin’s words were: “I observed the passion the youths have for European teams, most of our youths, dream of playing for European teams. I had the same dream too. So, I decided to use names of European teams and jerseys to give them a feeling of what it feels like playing in the same colours of the teams we watch and love and also feel the happiness it brings to our faces when we represent these teams.”
He also added, “Do you know that BFL has a transfer window too like the European league?”
The BFL has successfully completed nine (9) editions as it embarks on its tenth (10) edition later this year. Since its debut season, the BFL has proved to be the most creative and youth engaging nonprofit football tournament in Nigeria. It has attracted and impacted more than 500 youths from different communities around Surulere and beyond. The impact has no boundaries as youths participate in the league.
The BFL has functioned without any major sponsor or support since its debut in 2017, the founder Oluwatosin Ajeigbe is seeking for the partnership and collaboration with the Lagos State government and Sports Ministry including interested brands to invest their support in impacting youths through football. “It’s been 6 years going with nine seasons of youth empowerment, the tenth season of the BFL which would likely commence around September this year would be one to watch out for. We are here to create purpose in our community. I will urge other Nigerian youths to dig in deep so we can bring about positive change in our society”, he says.
