BNSG To Pay More Attention To Sports Dev. – Gov Alia

By Ior Ikyereve

The Executive Governor of Benue State His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has pledged his administration’s commitment to pay distinct attention to football and sports development in the state.

The Governor made this assertion Friday at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Ratels Benue State Football League competition held at the McCarthy stadium in Makurdi.

ALSO READ: My Vision Of A New Nigeria, By Okotie @64

Governor Alia who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, mni, stated that government would do everything possible to resuscitate sporting activities in the state including the Governor’s Soccer Cup competition. He described sports, especially football as a leading unifying factor in this country and the world at large.

“There is no sector in Nigeria that unites people more than sports, particulary football. Fr. Alia- led administration will do everything possible to support football and other sporting activities in the state to help our youths reach their full potentialities in this area”.

The Governor also acknowledged the commitment of Rt. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Icheen whom he said demostrated a high level of patroitism in the past 12 years as Chairman of Benue State Football Association. He notably paid tribute to Barr. Paul Edeh, the sponsor of the tournament as well as the resilience of all the 28 teams that participated in the competition.

Earlier in her address, the Chairman, Benue State Football Association, Mrs. Margaret Icheen appealed to the Executive Governor of the state to graciously provide a bus and take-off grant for the Football Association to ensure effective administration of its programmes.

Mrs. Icheen also implored the new administration to revitalize the Governor’s Soccer Cup competition so as to meaningfully engage the Benue youths.

Zeal Minds FC of Makurdi defeated Shining Stars of Daudu by 2 – 0 to win this year’s finals of the Benue State Football League competition.

The tournament which was sponsored by Ratels Sports Development Foundation Abuja, was attended by many important dignitaries including our very own football ambassador, Mr. Anthony Ujah, a Benue-born professional footballer who plays for Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany as well as the Nigerian National team.