Nigerian Youth Drone Soccer Team @ '22 World Games

Empower Nigerian Youth in This Sports Opportunity of a Lifetime!

Imagine your life as a teenager growing up in the town of Agege, a small underserved community located in Africa’s largest city, Lagos. For the average Nigerian, financial insecurity is the norm and meeting basic needs is a constant struggle. Though many come from invisible, underserved communities, it does not stop girls like Esther Adegunloye from dreaming of a hopeful future.

 

Esther is 16 years old and a senior at Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School, a public school in Agege. Back in November 2021, Esther heard about an upcoming Drone Soccer competition from her teacher Mr. Oyeleke. Upon hearing what was involved, she knew she had to participate. After her team made it through a successful application phase, Esther was elected as Team Captain to oversee the team’s 8-week preparation for the competition which involved drone building, programming, and flight training. Because of Esther’s leadership and dedication, ‘Team Pacesetters’ emerged as winners of the African Drone Soccer Competition!

This was the very first Drone Soccer Competition held in Africa.  History was indeed made!

 
Esther Adegunloye, a 16 Year Old senior at Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School. Team Captain of 'Team Pacesetters'.

Esther and her team are interviewed by HipTV after their historic win.


With this win, Team Pacesetters has officially qualified to compete in the International Drone Soccer competition at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in July, 2022, and we need your help.

 

We ask your financial support to get Esther and Team Pacesetters to the 2022 World Games. We need $25,000 to get all 8 team members plus their coach to Birmingham.

 

This opportunity was made possible through a partnership with The Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), U.S. Consulate in Lagos, the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Blue Globe Innovation, and the U.S. Drone Soccer Association. GADA is a global non-profit organization dedicated to preparing and leading the next generation of youth into the world of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics).

 

We are so proud to have pioneered the first-ever Drone Soccer competition in Africa with such an amazing group of students. We want to set the foundation for the next generation of engineers, who will join our team and continue the legacy. Everyone on Team Pacesetters is excited about the opportunity to represent their home country in a sport that has captivated thousands around the world.
Family and friends celebrate with Team Pacestters after their historic win in Lagos.

Talent and hard work are one part of stepping stones to success. This qualification is the beginning of an effort to spread drone sports, STEAM technology, and economic opportunities in Nigeria and Africa.

 

Why Do We Focus on Drone Soccer?

Drone Soccer is the world’s newest e-sport sport played with small drones in protective exoskeletons designed for full-contact gameplay.  Sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation in 2018, Drone Soccer is the only educational robotics competition that is an international sport.

Teams work together to build, program, and fly their Drone Soccer ball for competition.

Our participation at the World Games is in your hands. Are you ready to take the trophy home with us? The future is NOW, and it starts with your support to enable students to become leaders in their professional endeavors in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math!

Watch Video From the Lagos Competition Here