…as the curtain falls on Benue Gov’s Cup Football tournament

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Benue State Government is to revive grassroots sports in the 23 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state in order to tap the abundant talents in the rural communities and engage the youths meaningfully for economic growth and development.

Governor Hyacinth Alia who stated this weekend during the finals of the 2024 Benue State Governor’s Cup Football competition in Gboko noted the economic benefits of sport in the present day world.

The Governor who identified football as a unifying force and a source of joy assured that his administration would continue to encourage sports games in the state.

He promised to commence the rehabilitation of the JS Tarka Stadium as soon as work on the Ape Aku Stadium in Makurdi was completed to further encourage sports development in that part of the state.

Governor who lauded the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau for encouraging grassroots football in the state and donating trophies to be competed for by the teams also thanked all who played key roles to ensure the success of the tournament organised for the male and female teams from the 23 LGAs of the state.

Earlier, the President of NFF commended Governor Alia for his commitment to sport develolment in the state urging for the revival of the JS Tarka Stadium the then home of the defunct BCC Lions of Gboko.

The Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Dr. Paul Edeh and the Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Creativity, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange commended the Governor for dedicating attention to sports development in the state.

At the final of the tournament the male team from Vandeikya LGA defeated their Agatu counterpart 6-5 on penalties after a goalless full time, while Katsina-Ala LGA team defeated Gwer West 3-1 in the female category.

The winners of the male category went home with N3million, the runners up got N2million, the third placed team got N1.6million and the fourth placed team received N1million.

In the female category, the victorious team received N2.1million, the runners up received N1.8million, the third place team received N1.6million while the forth placed team got a reward of N1million.