Gov Ortom flags off Ratel/Benue football league

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom today, flagged off the 2021 Ratel/Benue football league at the main bow of Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi.

Governor Ortom, ably represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Comr Ojotu Ojema, appreciated the management of Ratel Sports Development Foundation and the Benue State Football Association for organising the competition, promising maximum support of the state government.

He assured Benue youths that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment and youth friendly polices for them to thrive in all their endeavours, urging them to always participate in sporting activities for healthy living and brighter future.

Earlier in her welcoming speech, the chairman, Benue State Football Association and former speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Mrs Margret Icheen thanked Governor Samuel Ortom for creating a conducive atmosphere for sports to strive in Benue State, adding that her association would continue to give top priority to football and general sports in line with the administration policies of Governor Ortom.

She appealed to the governor to revamp the famous Governor’s Cup, describing it as one of the most important events to her association, the youths and the entire people of Benue State.

Mrs Icheen solicited for more funds in order to make up the shortfall in the budget earmarked for the competition as the association never anticipated such large number of the clubs that registered for the competition.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of one of the co-sponsors of the competition, Ratel Sports Development Foundation, Barr Paul Edeh thanked Governor Ortom for his continuous support for football in Benue state, saying he was happy to be one of the sponsors of the competition this year.

He condemned the recent attack on Governor Ortom by suspected herdsmen, saying an attack on the governor is an attack on the entire people of Benue State.

In a vote of thanks, Benue State Director of Sports, Comr Philip Ter Nongu, appreciated the guests for coming despite their tight schedules, praying for a successful tournament.

25 football clubs from all the 23 local government areas registered for the competition which began today and ends on the 7th March, 2020.

In the first match of the competition described as very explosive, FaithHills FC of Makurdi defeated North Bank United of Makurdi by 3-0.

By Olikita Ekani