President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) Barr. Paul Edeh has officially declared his intention to contest as chairman in the upcoming Football Association (FA) election in Benue state.
Barr. Edeh who had picked his nomination form few days ago, told stakeholders, mostly chairmen and secretaries of various Local Government Areas (LGAs) at the weekend in Makurdi, Benue state capital, that his desire to lead the FA was anchored on competence and commitment to further drive grassroots football development.
The RSDF boss who has been sponsoring the state FA football league in the past years while reeling out his many football developmental antecedents in parts of the country, said, “I’m not in the race to exploit the system but to make endearing impact. Our incumbent chairperson has been very visionary about football development and it’s my desire to advance her impactful steps in next dispensation.
“I have come to serve and not to be served. I have come to collaborate with stakeholders to move football forward. My regular thoughts and how a progressive model should be is that football development run from bottom to top.
“Benue from ages has budding talents in various communities and it’s our duty to fish them out. We will work with referees and coaches as well as others by organising refresher trainings, just as we encourage many to attend courses that will help them improve themselves in their chosen vocation and profession.
“Football all over the world has become big business. The federal government having this understanding recently came up with the 10-year football master plan and it’s our responsibility to find creative ways to uplift football in Benue state.
“Most of you may not be aware that the current drive of the Nigeria Football Federation is anchored towards grassroots football development. This means that all the attention is focused on you being administrators at the local councils, as the core anchor of football development.”
Responding, most of the chairmen and secretaries from the LGAs who expressed satisfaction with the vision and capacity of Barr. Edeh assured of their readiness to give him full support.
Specifically, the chairman of Oju LGA Mr. Raphael Adoga popularly known as father said, “In Barr. Edeh, we as chairmen from the 23 local governments have found one who is capable of taking Benue football to greater heights.”
Also speaking, another chairman from Otukpo LGA Mr. Agbo James and that of Vandekiya Mr. Marcel Akaasar who were excited said with Barr. Edeh, a club owner of high repute, Benue football is comfortably in safe hands.
