The Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Barrister Paul Edeh, has declared that there will be no discrimination between men and women’s football in the state.
The President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) who made this declaration at the final of this year’s Benue State FA Cup in Gboko over the emphasised that both men and women’s football teams will be given equal opportunities to excel in the sport.
Edeh stated that it was important to promote gender equality in football and ensure that both male and female players have the same opportunity to showcase their God-given talents and compete at a high level.
The Benue State FA Chairman also announced that cash reward for the two genders will be equal.
“In Benue State, there’s no discrimination between men and women’s football. The same support the FA gives to men football teams goes to the women’s football clubs. Even in a competition like the State FA Cup, both champions (women’s and men) will receive the same amount, even when men’s teams played more matches than the opposite sex.
“We are committed to creating a level playing ground for every football player irrespective of their gender. Even the trophies received by both the men and women FA Cup winners are same in size and everything,” said Edeh.
In the men’s final decided at the famous JS Tarkaa Stadium in Gboko, the state owned Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Lobi Stars edged privately owned Nationwide League One club, Flight FC Gboko 2-1 to retain their trophy.
