Benue FA Set To Organise Chairman's Cup, Reward Best Performing LG Football Boss, Individuals

 

Benue FA Set To Organise Chairman's Cup, Reward Best Performing LG Football Boss, Individuals  

Barr. Paul Edeh has revealed plans by the board of Benue State Football Association (BSFA) to organise annual FA Chairman's Cup.

The philanthropist and President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) who made the disclosure  during the maiden General Congress organised by the current BSFA leadership in Makurdi at the weekend, said the Chairman's Cup will be competed for teams drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He also announced that at the end of the competition, the overall best team will smile home with a cash sum of a N1 million and trophy, while runners-up and third-placed sides will get N700, 000 and N300, 000 respectively.

Barr. Paul Edeh also said that before hand, there will be Board Members and Local Council Football Chairman's Cup which will take place at the various communities and constituencies' levels.

"As a board, we are not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that every talent anywhere in the state is identified and nurtured. This is one of our major move to return the state to the glory days.

"Alongside grassroots development, we will run football as a business, because gone are the days when the game was just for fun. In the business aspect of football, everyone from the players, coaches, up to the clubs, families and communities are beneficiaries.

"All hands need to be on deck to drive the process, so that together we can achieve more," he said.

Also, BSFA boss revealed that the board will towards the end of every year reward best performing Local Government football chairman with a brand new car.

He also expressed the readiness of the FA to honour politicians and others who distinguish themselves with their contributions towards grassroots football development in Benue State.

Aside from the board hierarchy, the LGA Football Chairmen and Secretaries as well as Club Representatives and other affiliate bodies attended the General Congress. The State Director of Sports, Comrade Philip Ter Nongu was among dignitaries who graced the event.

Benue FA Hosts First Ever Football Stakeholders Summit, As Governor's Cup Returns

 

Benue FA Hosts First Ever Football Stakeholders Summit, As Governor's Cup Returns 

Executive Board of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), led by Barr. Paul Edeh recorded a milestone as it hosted a first ever football stakeholders summit at the weekend in Makurdi, the state capital.

The stakeholders summit which was held 49 days after the current BSFA board was inaugurated, witnessed the gathering of who-is-who in the state's football family.

Those who attended the summit included ex-internationals, club representatives, football administrators, coaches, referees, sports journalists among others drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

Stakeholders, while speaking took turns to bare their minds on critical issues of importance, amidst the outpour of encomiums on the steps taken so far to show direction by the Benue FA board in less than two months.

Before then, BSFA Chairman, Barr. Paul Edeh, while recalling the various positive moves by his board, emphasised the need for peace and unity of purpose among the stakeholders.

"When we came on board, precisely 49 days ago, we took initiative on how to move football forward in order to rekindle the good old days when the various ex-internationals, some of whom are gathered here made us proud.

"I personally believe that there's no way we will make headway in developing football in the state without listening to those who have made a career from it, or are doing one thing or the other around football.

"Again, you can't grow the game when you have a divided house because a house divided against itself can't stand. We as stakeholders need to put heads together to find ways of developing football in Benue. We don't need to apply a political approach in developing football. We only need to speak and act as one.

"When an Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega or Onome Ebi is playing, no one identifies them based on where they come from, so all we need to do always is to identify the things that unite us rather than distract or disunite us," said Edeh.

He emphatically enjoined Benue stakeholders to desist from "any form of pull him down syndrome, instead join hands to encourage and promote each other."

Declaring the summit open, the state Director of Sports Comrade Philip Ter Nongu announced that His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia has approved immediate resuscitation of the annual Governor's Cup.

He also revealed that the state number one citizen has also directed that work should resume immediately on the pitch of Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi, to enable respective teams in the state, particularly Lobi Stars return home and prosecute their matches conveniently.

On the Stakeholders' Summit, the Sports Director said, "In my 16 years as General-Secretary, I didn't witness where such a summit was organised. So this is very apt and laudable."

Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars and ex-international Dominic Iorfa as well as other former footballers - Emmanuel Abah and Abdul Sule, were among others who attended the event.

Iorfa particularly said, "Since my involvement in football in the early 80s, I have never seen football organised in this manner where all stakeholders are gathered to discuss issues."

National President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, while acknowledging the efforts and exploits of the incumbent FA board, solicited for support to trigger more successes in the state.

He assured that the sporting media will continuously support in adequate publicity of its programmes and activities.

Chairmen of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association and Nigeria Referees Council in Benue state, Mr. Eugene Agabe and Mr. Gbilekaa Anthony, as well as other stakeholders hailed the developmental strides and timely actions of BSFA.

Hon Ekene Adams Congratulates D’Tigress On 6th Afrobasket Win

 

Hon Ekene Adams Congratulates D’Tigress On 6th Afrobasket Win

Chairman House Committee on Sports Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams has congratulated Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress for winning the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship for the fourth consecutive time in a row.

The Rena Wakama- led D’Tigress proved their dominance in the women's basket after edging 11-time African champions, Senegal 84-74 to claim their sixth championship at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday.

Saturday's trump, means D’Tigress will compete for a spot at the women’s basketball event of the 2024 Olympics.

Adams, a member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Kaduna State in the 10th House of Representatives; could not hide his delight after the feat.

"Congratulations to our women's Basketball team- D’Tigress and the entire backroom staff. The team has showed their dominance in the sport in Africa, and they showed the Nigeria never-say-die attitude going unbeaten in Kigali.

"The team showcased their talent to Africans and the world as they kept fans seated on their edge of their seats with quality basketball skills all their games at the BK Arena.

"Rena Wakama have also made Nigerian women proud, as she was the was the only female coach at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship and she did better what any man can do at the event.

"Kudos to the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) on the choice of Wakama, as its has now proven to be well-thought-out as she brought her wealth of experience, having previously represented Nigeria as a national team player.

"Am pouring praise on Amy Okonkwo too, as was a star, having played a huge role in helping Nigeria clinch the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, and, as a result, the 26-year-old was named the TISSOT MVP of the tournament.

"Recall, throughout Nigeria's unbeaten run (5-0) in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Okonkwo was the heart -and-soul of the D'Tigresses, averaging a team-high of 17.2 points while contributing 8.2 rebounds per game.

"Along the way, Okonkwo became the only Nigeria to register two double-doubles (Murjanatu Musa registered one).

"A heroic welcome awaits them, as I, my House Committee on Sports memeber and well-meaning Nigerians will be at the airport to welcome them."

Saturday's trump, means D’Tigress will compete for a spot at the women’s basketball event of the 2024 Olympics.

Ogunnowo: NLO Super Cup Kicks Off September 5, Explains Modalities

 

Ogunnowo: NLO Super Cup Kicks Off September 5, Explains Modalities  

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nationwide League One, Olushola Ogunnowo has announced Tuesday September 5 through Saturday September 16, 2023 as the kick-off date for the NLO Youth League Super Cup, as he  revealed that there would be two wild card teams that will also take part in the competition with more clarifications in the coming days. 

"We are looking to commence it from 5th to 16th September. It is a full 10 days of football activities. The competition will boost the economy of Imo State because 18 football clubs and about 30 match delegates among others will be in the state by then."

Ogunnowo, further explained modalities for the Youth League Super Cup, as he assured that foreign scouts, members of the Technical Department of the NFF, and some national team coaches would storm Owerri to discover talents. 

He acknowledged the adulation from Nigerians and overseas for the NLO conduct of the Youth League and further itemized reasons for the Super Cup while also adding that different steps including live stream of all games have been concluded to ensure the NLO continue to have its rave review and tractions.

"This is going to be the first of its kind in the history of youth football in Nigeria. The NLO decided to take the bull by the horns to start a Youth League in the country," Ogunnowo said why fielding questions from journalists after the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation.

"We have received so many applause both within and outside the country. We decided it was not best for the teams to just play the league and stop there. The 18 teams that will take part and additional two wild cards have already been promoted to NLO but we want to come up with a championship whereby we can come up with a single winner for the Youth League in the country. 

"The tournament will be keenly contested and we have invited foreign scouts to be part of what we are doing. We are inviting close to eight sporting directors from different leagues across the world to come and see our talents from the Youth League. 

"Nigeria Football Federation Technical Department will be on ground while notable coaches in the country will also be around to see the best that can be showcased from the NLO. 

"The NLO is the only league that has a broadcasting department because we stream live most of our matches. We streamed live over 144 matches in the just concluded NLO Division 1. In the NLO Division 2 (Youth League), we streamed live close to 200 matches. All the matches to be played during the championship will be live streamed to be watched in all parts of the world."

NLO, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation Signs MOU For Youth League Super Cup

 

NLO, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation Signs MOU For Youth League Super Cup.

Nigeria Nationwide League One has successfully signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation led by its Founder/ President High Chief Summers Nwokie towards staging the maiden edition of NLO Youth League Super Cup Championship in Owerri, Imo State.

Both put pen on the MoU on Friday at the corporate office of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation in the presence of NLO top brass, His Excellency, Silas Agara, Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo, officials of Imo Football Association, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation and journalists.

In his welcome address during the epoch making occasion the Founder/ President, Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, High Chief Summers Nwokie said it was his passion for football and humanitarian commitments that has compelled him to sponsor the NLO Super Cup Championship and it was borne out of the success story of his pet club, Ikukuoma FC of Mbaise, Imo State. 

The grassroots football philanthropist gave an account of what he has done to advance the cause of grassroot football including sponsorship of notable competitions within Mbaise and Owerri zone and he also canvassed for the support of other well meaning Nigerians to ensure grassroot football continue to flourish.

"It is for the love of soccer and a prioritized social responsibility in line with my humanitarian commitments, that prompted my resolve to sponsor the NLO Super Cup billed for early September.

"The enviable success of my pet football club, Ikukuoma FC at the just concluded Nationwide League One Under 19 Youth League held in Awka, Anambra State has energized and boosted my commitment to grassroots football with 80 percent of the players in my team products of my tournament (Ikukuoma Mbaise Unity Cup Tournament and Secondary Schools Football Competition).

"I want to use this medium to urge other well meaning Nigerians to get involved in the development of these laudable sports so as to enable the country to attain its expected height in world football," High Chief Nwokie said.

In his own opening remarks, NLO Chief Agara described Imo State as his second home, as he commended High Chief Summers Nwokie for his giant strides in grassroot football and added that the NLO's doors are wide open for collaborations with people like the President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to help take the league to greater height. 

The former Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State opined that the new watchword of the NLO is to ensure that players from grassroots clubs in the Nigeria Nationwide League form the bedrock of the national youth teams in the near future and that different steps have been taken to ensure the NLO has a more professional approach.

"Imo State is like a home coming. It is my second home and I feel proud to identify with people from Imo State," Agara began. 

"I stand boldly on behalf of the Nigeria Nationwide League One to identify with my brother High Chief Summers Nwokie who has taken this bold step to partner with the NLO and also to put smiles on the faces of our young footballers from all the parts of Nigeria. It is what we expect from those God has blessed so that they can open the doors for others. 

"Sports is a big industry and it can accommodate the teeming Nigerian youths by deeply engaging them in a meaningful way that they can add to that development. 

"High Chief Summers Nwokie has honoured the NLO and I wish to honour him in the same manner. When I see someone that is into grassroot sports I have a passion to relate with such a person. 

"Our passion in the NLO is to make sure that the crop of the national youth team players come from the grassroots clubs. Clubs that are from the NLO. 

"If we can get it right in the NLO, then we can begin to change the way the NNL and NPFL clubs are run. NLO is happy to partner and open a new chapter with you. The MoU we have signed we go a long way to show what we can do together for football."

Agara further tasked Imo State to take her place of pride in the South East and he challenged the President of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation to help with the rebirth of grassroots football in the South East for the good of the game.

"Imo is the home of football. Football is not new to Imo State. The state has produced great national players for Nigeria. It is time to go back to the old days where those players emerged from grassroots clubs. I believe Imo can take her rightful position in the South East with the likes of High Chief Summers Nwokie," Agara continued.

"I want to challenge High Chief Nwokie to change the face of grassroot football in the South East if others that God has blessed can't do it. He should do it. A token sent to other states in the South East can help to change its face in the zone. NLO will be willing to support you and bring the weight of the NFF behind you."