By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
In a bid to discover and nurture athletic talent, the Benue State Government is set to launch a talent hunt initiative aimed at fostering sports excellence in the country.
Governor Hyacinth Alia made the announcement over the weekend during the grand finale of the resurgent Governor’s Cup competition, which had been inactive for eight years under the previous administrations.
Governor Alia reassured football enthusiasts that soccer is making a full comeback in Benue State under his leadership.
He echoed sentiments from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr. Ibrahim Gusau highlighting that in the past, Benue citizens comprised nearly forty percent of Nigeria’s national football teams and vowed to rejuvenate that legacy.
“I was thrilled to witness the final matches, which has motivated me to further enhance football in Benue,” Alia said, expressing gratitude to NFF President Ibrahim Gusau for presenting a trophy for the competition.
He emphasized Gusau’s commitment to sports development and acknowledged the unifying power of athletics.
The governor revealed plans for upgrading the JS Tarka Stadium to begin once renovations at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi are completed.
He also pledged continued support for the advancement of women’s football in the state and congratulated the teams that participated in the competition, announcing cash rewards for top performers.
In response, Nigeria Football Federation’s President, Mr. Ibrahim Gusau assured Benue residents of the federation’s commitment to reviving football in the state.
He urged Governor Alia to accelerate improvements at the JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, recalling the historical significance of the former BCC Lions Football Club, which consistently supplied a significant percentage of players to the nation’s national team.
Gusau also called on the governor to prioritize the completion of ongoing renovations at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi so that Lobi Stars Football Club can return home after two seasons of playing their matches away.
Voice of Nigeria reports that Vandeikya Local Government emerged winners of the male category while Katsina Ala won the female category at the end of the competition which featured all the 23 Local Governments of the State.
