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Gboko, an ancient City located in Benue State came alive as Mammoth crowd besieged JS Tarka Stadium, the kick-off venue for the rejuvenated Governor’s Cup.
The sport arena was filled to capacity on the first day of a prestigious competition which last held nine years ago.
Up to 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) filled out in a march past, after each of them received double playing kits, match balls, cones among other equipment.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Tekembi Ikyange, who stood in for Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, assured of the government’s determination in creating pathway for sustained human capital development.
He said, “In the revived Governor’s Cup, I see a great opportunity for great potentials to be harnessed. Our sports-loving governor when he came on board promised to return Governor’s Cup and school sports. And he is already fulfilling on his promises.”
He assured of the present administration’s commitment to sustain the competition with the rehabilitation of Aper Aku and other stadia across the state.
He then urged the players and officials to play with brotherly and sportsmanship mindset all through the competition expected to climax with the final round at Makurdi in December, 2024.
On his part, Benue State Football Association (BSFA) Chairman, Chief Paul Edeh Esq, noted that the revival of the Governor’s Cup has been one of the cardinal promises and projections of Board since its inception in June 2023.
While applauding Governor Alia, the BSFA helsman said, ” 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 am happy today is because of the local government chairmen. We’re here today because of their commitment, 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, also deserve a lot of appreciation.”
He explained that a total prize money of N20 million will be won by both men and women categories in the competition, while assuring that fair officiating will be entrenched throughout the duration of the Governor’s Cup.
Chief Edeh, who is the only Proprietor of two privately-owned Women Football clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers announced that, “the Governor’s Cup 2024 will culminate into the formation of the Benue State Championship League which have three categories namely – the Benue State Champions League, Benue State Premier League and the Grassroots and Amateur League.
“The boards for these leagues will be established just like it’s established at the national level and any team that will qualify from the four centers 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 own teams and so long as they qualify from the Super eight that will be playing in Markudi, you are automatically qualified and the league will start in earnest from next year.”
Also speaking, the Executive Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) representing North-central, Rt. Hon. Magret Icheen represented by a BSFA board member hailed the visonary leadership of the Chairman of Benue FA and assured that the NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau will be physically present at the closing ceremony of the competition.
The opening ceremony of the Governor’s Cup was graced by dignitaries including Chairmen of various LGAs.
