Sports
Over ₦5 Million at Stake as 2025 Benue FA Chairman’s Cup Kicks Off, More Coaches Awarded Scholarships
Winners of 2025 Benue State Football Association (BSFA) Chairman’s Cup will win over N5 million prize money at the end of the second edition of the tournament geared towards discovering more grassroots talents.
BSFA Chairman, Chief Dr Paul Edeh Esq, disclosed this at the kick-off of the competition in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
The breakdown of the prize monies, according to the Benue FA Chairman, will see winners of both men and women categories smile home with N2 million, while the runners-up and third placed teams for both sides will receive N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
He also said the winners, runners-up and third best sides (male and female) in the U15 grade will get N500,000, N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Chief Edeh then charged the various Council FA Chairmen to ensure that the competition expected to produce two teams’ representatives from each Local Government Area is organised within the stipulated period.
He however, warned that “any Council FA Chairman who fails to organise Any council FA chairman who doesn’t ensure that FA Council Chairman Cup happen in the local government area and present at least two top teams as representatives to the State FA Secretariat will be suspended indefinitely.”
While reeling other criteria required at the competition, the BSFA Chairman noted that 2024 maiden edition produced Footballers who have already joined professional clubs within and outside Nigeria.
He said, “We made a lot of progress, in that a lot of young boys were discovered in this competition last year. Some of them went to play with Lobi Stars, others went to play for various teams across the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) teams. That for me, is progress.
“I also want to acknowledge the effort of all the coaches in Benue State who have been consistent, in view of the lack of funds and still sacrifice from the little resources towards giving these young lads the very best.”
To this end, Chief Edeh announced another set of scholarships for 30 coaches – 18 who will head to Abuja for the upcoming coaching training at the Nigeria Institute For Sports (NIS) from September, and for more coaches who will excel at the end the Benue FA Chairman’s Cup later in the year.
He recalled that before now, the BSFA has given up to 20 coaches scholarships to NIS, meaning by the end of 2025, 50 coaches would have benefitted from the numerous scholarships.
The BSFA Chairman announced that soon any academy coaches without at least NIS coaching qualification will not be allowed to operate in the State.
Acting Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, Dr. Philip Nongu, commended the exploits of the current BSFA leadership saying, “First and foremost, in my 16 years as the FA secretary of this state, we have not witnessed what we have witnessed in 2 years of Chief Edeh ‘s leadership. I want to applaud him and urged the state’s FA board to do more.
“I want to say on behalf of the management and the staff of the ministry that we’re going to give you our backing. We will always support you. Do not hesitate to come to us any time you need anything.”
Head of Coaching and Training Mr. Peter Obaike, who represented the Director of Benue State Sports Council assured of their readiness to continue nurturing discovered athletes in the State.
Sports
Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish
Joel Ajayi
With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.
“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.
Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.
“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.
To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.
“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.
The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.
Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.
“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.
Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.
“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”
Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.
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