23 LGAs vie for Benue Gov’s Cup

According to the Secretary of The Benue State Football Association, BAFA, Mr. Philiph Nongu, the finals of the competition which is going on at four venues across the state would hold on December 18 at the McCarthy stadium Makurdi. He said the four centers at Makurdi, Vandeikya, Adikpo and Oju would host the quarter final […]

According to the Secretary of The Benue State Football Association, BAFA, Mr. Philiph Nongu, the finals of the competition which is going on at four venues across the state would hold on December 18 at the McCarthy stadium Makurdi.

He said the four centers at Makurdi, Vandeikya, Adikpo and Oju would host the quarter final matches on December 8 while the Adikpo Township Stadium and Oju stadium would host the two semi final matches on Dec 11.

Nongu disclosed that the Benue State governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam would be the Special Guest of Honour at the grand finale which is slated for December 18 at the McCarthy Stadium, the camp of NPL club, Lobi Stars.

The opening match of the competition saw Apa Local Government team beating Gboko by 2-0 in a match witnessed by a capacity crowd including members of the State Executive Council, chairmen of some of the local government councils, members of the Benue State Football Association, BAFA, Lobi Stars Vice-chairman, Dominic Iorfa and a host of other personalities.

Nongu who described the standard of the competition as very high told Feverpitch in a telephone interview that in attempt to fish out hidden talents, only indigenes of the state who have not taken part in the national league are eligible to participate in it.

He said the competition is an avenue for some of the amateur clubs in the state including Lobi Stars to scout for talented players.

“This is the highest football competition in the state and at the level of the Benue State Football Association, we have ensured that everything is properly organized. The referees officiating the matches are among the best in the country.

“In addition, it is an opportunity for us to discover talents that would represent the state in future competitions. In this regard, we have ensured that participants are indigenes of the state who have never taken part in the national league. We did thorough screening to ascertain the eligibility of the players.

Nongu said trophies and cash prizes would be presented to winners but that would depend on the response the football association would get from the state governor.

“We have sent a proposal to the state governor, His Excellency, Dr. Gabriel Suswam and we are expecting a favourable reply. You know he is the number one supporter of sports in the state. This is evident in the transformation that the sector has witnessed since his assumption of office in 2007. With his support, we would make this year’s finals a memorable one”, he assured.