President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Paul Edeh welcoming representatives of the participating teams
Photo: Ndubueze Chidoka/Radio Nigeria
Sixty-three teams including defending Champions, Faith Hills FC of Makurdi are battling it out as the 3rd edition of Ratels Benue State Football League kicks off in the State.
The competition is in progress in the three senatorial zones in the State comprising Benue Zone A Senatorial District, Zone B Senatorial District and Zone C Senatorial District.
In the official opening game decided at the MC Carthy Stadium Wadata Makurdi, Aeston football club thrashed Ghetto football club 3 – 0 with the goals coming from Ayaga Vitalis, and Ataka Moses who netted a brace through free kicks.
At the official opening, the President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Paul Edeh said his Foundation is determined to develop Sports at the grassroots.
“Like it’s often said, charity begins at home and of course Benue is my home. This’s where I did my primary, secondary and tertiary education. Unfortunately I did not do my NYSC here because the law does not permit otherwise I would have.
I think the state has given so much to me. I can not but give back to the society. I know sometimes when individuals embark on project such as this, there’s a colloration of politics attached to it but am glad this’s the third edition of the Ratels Benue state football league in a row. Beyond the rhetorics, I think it’s an opportunity to give back to the people.” Paul Edeh stated.
Benue state Director of Sports, Comrade Philip Ter Nongo lauded the partnership between RSDF and Benue state FA in Football Development.
”This partnership is yielding the desired dividends. Some of the players discovered are already playing for Lobi stars and some other clubs in the country. Here in Benue we are very happy with the giant strides recorded so far since the competition started three years ago. I will remain eternally grateful to RSDF for leading the revolution of football development in Benue state.” He said.
Chairman Benue state Football Association, Chief Margaret Icheen, appreciated the magnanimity of the sponsor, Paul Edeh for pulling his resources towards the actualization of youth empowerment, talents detection, and employment generation.
Reporting by Ndubueze Chidoka; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade & Adeniyi Bakare