Remilekun Bello, a Warriors wide receiver and back-to-back Showtime champion, has opened up on his journey into flag football and explained the fundamentals of a sport that continues to gain popularity in Nigeria.
During an interview with Sports247, Bello revealed that his journey began in 2022 after he was introduced to the sport by one of his basketball teammates.
“I started playing flag football in 2022. Before then, I was playing basketball with some guys on Saturdays,” Bello told Sports247.
According to the talented wide receiver, one of the people he regularly played basketball with introduced him to flag football. The opportunity came during the off-season in June, prompting Bello to attend a trial.
“I asked if I could come for the trials. I was selected, and that was how my flag football journey started,” he explained.
Since making the switch, Bello has developed into an accomplished player, earning recognition as a Team Nigeria wide receiver while also becoming a back-to-back champion in the Showtime league.
Explaining the objective of the sport, Bello described flag football as both a game of yards and a highly mental sport, stressing that gaining yards is essential to making progress during a possession.
However, he noted that the scoring system can differ depending on the league. In Showtime, which operates as a co-ed competition, a touchdown scored by a male player is worth six points, while a female player’s touchdown is worth seven points.
Bello explained that the difference is designed to encourage greater female participation in the sport, where the number of female players remains comparatively low.
He also outlined the roles of quarterbacks and receivers. The quarterback is responsible for throwing the ball, while the receiver attempts to catch it in the designated scoring area. A successful catch without the receiver’s flag being pulled results in a touchdown.
“If my flag is pulled before I complete the play, it does not count as a score,” he said.
Bello’s journey from basketball courts to the flag football field reflects the opportunities emerging within Nigeria’s developing flag football community, while his progress with Team Nigeria and Showtime demonstrates the potential of athletes willing to embrace the growing sport.
