Benue FA awards coaches scholarships to NIS,
… commends governor’s approval for Aper Aku stadium renovation
BY BEN NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
The Benue State Football Association (BSFA) has awarded scholarships to eight upcoming coaches expected to take part in the next phase of training programme at the National Institute of Sports (NIS).
While performing an official presentation of the beneficiaries at the General Congress organised by BSFA at the weekend, FA Chairman, Barr. Paul Edeh, said the association under his watch will embark on consistent training and re-training of coaches in the state.
Barr. Edeh also revealed plans to organise a mega training session, in collaboration with La Liga, for many coaches drawn from parts of the state before the end of 2023.
He reiterated the resolve of BSFA board to expand the frontiers of grassroots football development within the next three years.
The FA boss said part of the steps taken so far within 40 days of the board’s existence was the engagement of critical stakeholders and partners including strategic visits to the Paramount Ruler of Tiv nation Prof. Ortese Ayatse Tor Tiv and that of Idoma nation, Dr. John Elaigwu Och’ Idoma who are now football Grand Patron and Patron in the state.
The board also paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and tertiary institutions in the state within the period under review.
“I want to assure everyone that this is a listening board that want to run an investment-driven football development programmes… because balls are critical to the our developmental drive, we have concluded arrangement to import at least 10, 000 balls. We have also invited and met with La Liga representative for their experts to come to Benue and train our coaches.
“We will make coaches’ training an annual programme. From next year, coaches whose teams emerge tops at our various grassroots football competitions from the 23 LGAs will automatically be part of those who will be sent for more capacity building engagements at NIS and others,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Benue state chapter, Coach Eugene Agabe, thanked the board for its laudable and consistent approach to football development.
Meanwhile, Barr. Edeh has commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for approving immediate regrassing of the pitch at Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi.
The legal luminary who is also the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation said, “The governor who has spent few weeks in office is already demonstrating leadership.
“With the approval to fix the Aper Aku stadium pitch, teams located within Makurdi, especially Lobi Stars, will now have a comfortable place to train and play their home matches.”
He also spoke of the readiness of the board to build a state-of-the-art football secretariat within the stadium when authorities approve a land space for that purpose.