Mammoth crowd as Governor’s Cup kicks off in grand fashion – Blueprint Newspapers Restricted

Gboko, an historic City situated in Benue State got here alive as Mammoth crowd besieged JS Tarka Stadium, the kick-off venue for the rejuvenated Governor’s Cup.

The sport enviornment was stuffed to capability on the primary day of a prestigious competitors which final held 9 years in the past.

Up to 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) stuffed out in a march previous, after every of them obtained double enjoying kits, match balls, cones amongst different gear.

Speaking, the State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Tekembi Ikyange, who stood in for Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, assured of the federal government’s willpower in creating pathway for sustained human capital improvement.

He mentioned, “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 current administration’s dedication to maintain the competitors with the rehabilitation of Aper Aku and different stadia throughout the state.

He then urged the gamers and officers to play with brotherly and sportsmanship mindset all via the competitors anticipated to climax with the ultimate spherical at Makurdi in December, 2024.

On his half, Benue State Football Association (BSFA) Chairman, Chief Paul Edeh Esq, famous that the revival of the Governor’s Cup has been one of many cardinal guarantees and projections of Board since its inception in June 2023.

While applauding Governor Alia, the BSFA helsman mentioned, ” The promise to revive the Governor’s Cup has been fulfilled all due to the astute management and dedication of his Excellency the Executive Governor of Benue State Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Alia who’s dedicated to the expansion and improvement of sports activities in any respect ranges.

“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 defined {that a} complete prize cash of N20 million shall be gained by each women and men classes within the competitors, whereas assuring that truthful officiating shall be entrenched all through the length of the Governor’s Cup.

Chief Edeh, who’s the one Proprietor of two privately-owned Women Football golf equipment in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers introduced 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 talking, 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 management of the Chairman of Benue FA and warranted that the NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau shall be bodily current on the closing ceremony of the competitors.

The opening ceremony of the Governor’s Cup was graced by dignitaries together with Chairmen of varied LGAs.