As the football season in Benue state approaches, Barr. Paul Edeh, President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), has officially declared his intention to contest in the upcoming election for Chairman of the Benue Football Association (FA). Edeh’s announcement came during a meeting with various Local Government Areas (LGAs) chairmen and secretaries in Makurdi.
During the meeting, Edeh underscored the need for an experienced leader who is committed to the development of grassroots football in the state. He also highlighted his passion for creating an impact on the local football scene, stating that he is not in the race to exploit the system, but to make a meaningful impact on football development in Benue.
Edeh has sponsored the state FA football league in the past years and has a rich experience in football development throughout the country. His vision for the Benue state FA is to build on the impactful steps made by the current chairperson and collaborate with stakeholders to move football forward.
Edeh believes that football in Benue has immense potentials that need to be maximized. He emphasized the need to identify budding talents in various communities and work with coaches as well as referees to organize refresher training courses that will help improve their skills. He also highlighted that football development runs from the grassroots up and that administrators at the local councils are the core anchor of football development.
Football development in Nigeria has recently been receiving attention, especially at the grassroots level, with the Federal Government releasing a 10-year football master plan. Edeh believes that it’s the association’s responsibility to align with the national vision and find creative ways of uplifting football in Benue state.
Edeh’s declaration has been applauded by many stakeholders in Benue’s football community, who believe that his vision for grassroots football development aligns with the national agenda for football in the country. The Benue State Football Association election is set to hold in the coming weeks and Edeh’s candidacy is generating significant interest among voters.
