An old tradition, almost forgotten, has been revived as Governor Alia restored the Benue Governor’s Cup.
An exceedingly large crowd throngs the JS Tarka Stadium in the city of Gboko as warm-ups for the match begin.
Governor’s Cup was last held nine years ago and has visibly attracted a lot of attention as the sports arena got filled with excited people who had come to watch the old culture on display.
The competition has players from the 23 local government areas of Benue State who filled out in the past and thereafter received double-playing kits, match balls, and cones, among other equipment.
Read Also: Plateau State Kicks off National Teqball Championship Tournament
The State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, on behalf of the governor Alia, communicated the government’s determination to create a pathway for sustained human capital.
“In the revived Governor’s Cup, I see a great opportunity for great potential to be harnessed. Our sports-loving governor, when he came on board, promised to return the Governor’s Cup and school sports. And he is already fulfilling his promises.” He said.
He also disclosed that the Alia-led administration is committed to sustaining the competition with the rehabilitation of Aper Aku and other stadiums across the state.
Related News;
-
Benue Versity Welcomes New Students With Grand Matriculation Ceremony
-
Abandoned Benue road project causes deaths, accidents after funding with millions
He also urged the players and sports officials to play with a brotherly and sportsmanship mindset all through the competition. He further disclosed that the final round of the competition will be held at Makurdi in December 2024.
The Benue State Football Association (BSFA) Chairman, Chief Paul Edeh Esq, revealed that since the Board’s inception in June 2023, reviving the Governor’s Cup has been one of its cardinal promises and projections.
“The promise to revive the Governor’s Cup has been fulfilled all because of the astute leadership and commitment of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, who is committed to the growth and development of sports at all levels.
“The second reason that makes today a day of joy for me is because of the commissioner that His Excellency has given us. While other states’ FAs are fighting with their commissioner, battling and grappling with the question of who is in charge of football, ours is different because his excellency identified the young man par excellence who has the interest of sports at the front burner.
“It was he who fought to ensure that His Excellency brought back the Benue State Governor’s Cup, and he deserves appreciation.
“The third reason I am happy today is because of the local government chairmen. We’re here today because of their commitment and because of the funds they made available to ensure we have this governor’s cup.
“Barely a month after the local government chairmen came on board, they fought tooth and nail to ensure that funding for this particular outing was provided, and they too deserve a lot of appreciation.”
The BSFA chairman disclosed that a total prize money of N20 million will be won by both men and women categories in the competition, assuring that fair officiating will be established throughout the duration of the Governor’s Cup.
Chief Edeh, the only proprietor of two privately owned women’s football clubs in Nigeria, Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers, announced that “the Governor’s Cup 2024 will culminate in the formation of the Benue State Championship League, which has three categories, namely the Benue State Champions League, the Benue State Premier League, and the Grassroots and Amateur League.
Read Also; Investigation: Benue Communities Feel the Pains as Government Neglects PHCs
“The boards for these leagues will be established just like they’re established at the national level, and any team that qualifies from the four centres will automatically gain promotion to play in the Benue State Premier League.
“This is to encourage all the local government chairmen to own teams. Just like the Benue State Government has the Lobi Stars, the local government councils should also have their teams, and so long as they qualify from the Super Eight that will be playing in Makurdi, you are automatically qualified, and the league will start in earnest from next year.”
Also, the Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) representing North-Central, Rt. Hon. Magret Icheen, represented by a BSFA board member, applauded the visionary leadership of the Chairman of Benue FA, assuring that the NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau will be physically present at the closing ceremony of the competition.
