Philanthropist and founder Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh has emerged as the new chairman of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) after pulling 29 votes to beat his opponent and former Flying Eagles coach, Chief Godwin Uwah. Uwah pulled only one vote in the adjudged free and fairly BSFA elective congress held during the weekend in Makurdi,
Barrister Edeh succeeded Rt Hon Margaret Icheen, who is now a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), representing North-central and decided not to seek reelection as BSFA chairman.
Edeh in his acceptance shortly after oath taken, reiterated his campaign promises to hit the ground running to return Benue State’s football to its glorious days in the country and beyond.
He said his vision for BSFA is to run an investment driven, self sustaining and impactful football association committed to fair-play, accountability and focus on grassroots football development in pursuit of FIFA, CAF and NFF mandate.
Edeh immediately hit the ground running as promised by a personal donation of N10 million and a Sienna bus to BSFA, said: “I will Increase investment in football development, more impact through the achievement of football development objectives, continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly.”
The RSDF boss who birthed two female clubs, Ratels fc of Abuja and Honey Badgers FC of Makurdi continued that, “Data collection would be a significant feature in my administration. A state as big as Benue, rich in football talents should have a database where a list of football teams at grassroots level are known to the FA with a click of the button. The FA should be able to know how each local FA and other member Associations are farming within its sphere. We should be able to know how many coaches and referees we have in the state. We should have the list of players at all levels documented. Ex players as well. This will help the FA understand the areas that require crucial intervention.”
He promised to develop Benue State’s football ecosystem that provides opportunities for Benue’s citizens to combine education with football careers.
“I will introduce and pursue vigorously into the annals of the Benue’s football ecosystem a programme, I intend to tag the EduBall Naija. The idea behind the programme is to infuse education with football at the grassroots to encourage young Benue indigenes to combine education with football. This programme will be pursued vigorously at the grassroots level through the local FAs and affiliate members throughout the State in order to promote education as a panacea for achieving success in football.
“With the EduBall programme, we will be able to identify youngsters who are exceptional and award them scholarships and follow their progress. We hope to infuse into our young footballers that education is not an alternative to football or vice versa,” Edeh said.
Edeh’s victory alongside 10 other candidates was announced by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Msugh Aga in the presence of many observers including Head of Special Duties, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ali Abubakar.
