Benue FA revives Governor’s Cup competition

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia

The Benue State Football Association has revived the Governor’s Cup competition to create a platform where young talents can be discovered.

Chairman of BSFA, Paul Edeh, stated this on Thursday in Makurdi at a press conference.

Edeh, who said that the tournament had been put to rest about eight years ago, applauded the state governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for his administration’s support for sports promotion in the state.

The Governor’s Cup, according to Edeh, will commence on October 1, stressing that the president of the Nigeria Football Association, Ibrahim Gusau, has promised to donate a trophy for the competition.

Edeh said, “The Benue State Football Association is to resume the Governor’s Cup competition in the state, beginning from October 1, 2024.

“This competition had been absent in the state for the past eight years. It’s the governor’s determination to revive the competition as part of his administration’s intention to use sports to inspire and transform the lives of our youths in the state.

The tournament, according to Edeh, will feature one team from each of the 23 local government areas in the state, noting that participating players must be indigenes of the state.

According to him, the winners will smile home with N10 million, the first runners-up will get N6 million, and the second runners-up will pocket N4 million.

“There will also be consolation prizes for outstanding performances during the tournament,” Edeh said.

The Commissioner for Sports, Youths, and Creativity, Terkimbi Ikyange, who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, John Akume, assured the government’s determination to invest in sports in the state.