The Nigeria Drone Soccer League (NDSL) is targeting about 720 young athletes for its inaugural national competition in 2027, as it seeks to combine sports with technology education and career development.

The league is conducting nationwide selection exercises to identify young people who will represent states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the emerging sport, which combines drone piloting with soccer-style competition.

Speaking at the North-Central Combine held on Thursday at Starville School, Jahi II, Abuja, NDSL President, Sam Gaadi, said thousands of candidates had applied, but only 20 athletes would be selected to represent each participating state and the FCT.

“We have an open combine, and thousands of candidate athletes have applied, but only about 20 will be chosen for each team,” Gaadi said.

He explained that candidates would be assessed through an aptitude test, a written statement of purpose and a complex coordination test, with their overall scores determining those who advance.

According to him, the league will operate across six conferences covering the country’s geopolitical zones, with another selection exercise scheduled for Gombe for candidates in the North-East Conference.

Gaadi said the national league would commence in 2027, with its calendar designed to accommodate students’ academic commitments.

He added that participants would acquire practical skills in drone piloting, engineering and maintenance, potentially preparing them for employment in technology-driven industries.

“Ultimately, these skills can lead to employment opportunities that meet the demands of today’s technology-driven world,” he said.

Also speaking, the league’s Chief Executive Officer, Lieutenant Coopwood, described drone soccer as a gateway to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

“Drone soccer is more than a sport; it is a pathway into science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Coopwood said.