A new soccer revolution known as ‘Football for All’ has been officially launched in Benue State.
The initiative designed by the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) is aimed at ensuring that massive footballs are made available and distributed across the state at a low cost.
Launching the initiative in Makurdi, the state capital, Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Rt. Hon. Ikyange Terkimbi, commended BSFA leadership, led by the Chairman, Barr. Paul Edeh, for its unpredictable passion and commitment in driving football development at the grassroots.
He said while other sporting groups and associations only send in requests of the things, they want the government to do for them, Benue FA has led the way in pursuing a vigorous footballing system geared towards taking the youth off the street and engaging them meaningfully.
Citing the ongoing FA Cup tournament at all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state, the Commissioner who was a Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly reckoned that with the tempo at which football is currently being administered, other sports will take a cue to revive the sector which had gone moribund.
“Really, it’s quite commendable of what the BSFA has done in setting the pace in football development, particularly in the state. The initiative, backed with commiserate action, to crash the price of balls, is highly laudable. The state government will always support your activities because we are partners in progress,” he said.
Earlier, the BSFA Chairman, Barr Edeh while explaining the rationale behind the ‘Football for All’ initiative emphasised that the need to ensure that various football teams in the state and young individuals have access to balls informed the idea.
Recalling how a local FA board member was recently attacked and kidnapped on his way to buy balls, Barr. Edeh said the availability of balls will mitigate against such occurrences in the future.
He also revealed that already some balls have been procured for distribution at a very low cost with more expected to be brought, in later on, courtesy of a partnership with Haggai Sports.
He said, “We intend to flood Benue state with balls. We are starting with 10, 000 of them which will be sold at N6000 each, being the maximum amount. We are even working on getting the balls at a reduced price in the future.
“The idea which is part of our resolve to improve the round-leather game, is also to ensure that young ones who have an interest in playing football have easy access to balls without hindrance. The same goes for the coaches and any other person who is willing to move the game of football forward.”
Some football stakeholders including FA board members, coaches and referees’ chairmen, among others were present at the launch.
Top officials of the ministry were also at the event, which witnessed the signing and presentation of balls to and by the Commissioner.
Meanwhile, the leadership of Benue State Football Association (BSFA) has passionately appealed to the new Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Creativity, Rt. Hon. Ikyange Terkimbi, to be in the forefront of ensuring that the football pitch located inside Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi comes alive before the end of October 2023.
BSFA Chairman, Barr. Paul Edeh, who spoke when he led the board of BSFA on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in Makurdi, the state capital said aside the economic and other benefits, restoring the pitch will give Lobi Stars, the only Benue State-owned football club at the Nigeria Premier Football League, a place to prosecute their home matches.
Barr. Edeh described the idea of allowing the clubs play their home games elsewhere outside the state, as a setback.
He said, “The state stands to gain nothing if the Aper Aku stadium is not fixed. Apart from Lobi Stars, other teams (male and female) have no place to train and play their matches.”
While expressing the willingness of the current FA Board to work with the new Commissioner, Barr. Edeh, a seasoned football administrator said, “As you are very much aware, one of your greatest deliverables is football, as the man incharge of sports.
“As an association, we visited you to express our willingness to work with you and make the administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to succeed.”
Barr. Edeh who stressed that football structure which flows from the state FA up to FIFA, reeled out his board’s moves and achievements since it’s emergence in June, 2023, adding that already a grassroots football competition at all the 23 local government areas is on.
He reiterated that the tournament which will climax with BSFA Chairman’s Cup final in Gboko, will see the winners going home with N2 million, aside all the participating teams being kitted.
He then requested the commissioner to among other things facilitate the resursitation of annual Governor’s Cup before the end of 2023 as well as drive a private initiative that will lead good spirited individuals, including him (the Commissioner) to rehabilitate or lay good football pitches in their localities, just as the BSFA chairman revealed his efforts in doing same at his own area in the state.
Responding, Commissioner Terkimbi commended the FA Board for its laudable initiatives within a short time, and assured of government’s support always.
“I quite appreciate your pragmatic efforts towards resursitating football in Benue State… I will discuss with the governor to get the date for the Governor’s Cup as well as modalities to fix the Aper Aku stadium as soon as possible.
“We appeal for collaboration with BSFA, because one discovered talented player alone can turn around his fortunes, family, community and that of the state. As a government, we want to partner with the federal government, well interested individuals and groups to engender develop of sports, and we will do so with open mind.
“I can assure you that His excellency, the governor is in a haste to develop the state and will do all possible to get things working again,” he said.
The visiting FA executive board later presented and decorated the commissioner with the symbolic BSFA track suite, adorned in black and red colour with a blend of white.
