Flag football offers easier route into sport, says Chuey Chu

Nigerian media personality Oladotun Ochu, popularly known as Chuey Chu, has described flag football as easier to learn and establish than American football. Ochu, a former civil engineer who moved into broadcasting and event hosting, discussed the sport in an interview with PUNCH. He said both disciplines were similar, but that flag football required fewer resources.

“Between flag football and American football, I think flag is a lot easier,” Ochu said. “It’s cheaper to set up, and it’s growing faster across Nigeria than American football.” He said he had been among the early people promoting American football in Nigeria, including taking part in what he described as the country’s first official game in Zaria about a decade ago. He also mentioned an early West African derby against a team from Ivory Coast.

Flag football is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Ochu said the sport was attracting both men and women in Nigeria and was developing rapidly. Ochu said his own sporting activities had included track and field, American football and football.

He continues to play flag football and football, and recently took part in a race in Lagos. He also said he was considering investment in sports media and sporting talent. In discussing the relationship between education and athletics, he pointed to the American system, where students are expected to maintain academic standards alongside participation in school teams.

Ochu said he would encourage his children to participate in sport, arguing that Nigeria had significant untapped resources in the sector. He is a Manchester United supporter and said football remained his favourite sport, although American football was increasingly competing for his attention.