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
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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