Faith Hills emerged winners of this year’s Ratels Benue State amateur football league after defeating Abu Edoh FC Obagaji of Agatu LGA 3-1 in the finals played at the Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi.
The third place match between Elite FC Ugba, Logo LGA and Ultimate FC of Makurdi ended 4-3 on penalties in favour of the latter after 1-1 in regulation time.
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The Chairman of Benue State Football Association, Hon. Mrs. Margret Icheen while speaking during the closing ceremony, commended the commitment of the sponsor of the league, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) to grassroots sports development.
“I wish to sincerely appreciate Barrister Paul Edeh, the sponsor of this important league for always pooling his resources towards the actualisation of this noble objective of the Benue State Football Association which is aimed at football growth and development, youth empowerment, employment generation, health and social mobilisation,” said the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly.
“We call on corporate organisations and individuals to emulate the sponsor of this league through partnership with our association for football development in the state,” she concluded.
On his part, the president of RSDF, Barrister Edeh eulogised the doggedness of the chairman and members of the board of the Benue State FA in developing football in the state.
He also called on the state government to revive the Governor’s Cup competition which was last staged in 2017.
The proprietor of fast rising NWFL side, Naija Ratels said “In the past, most of our stars were discovered from the grassroots as against today’s concentration on professional players.
“I want to urge the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Mr. Samuel Ortom to host the Governor’s Cup before the end of his tenure.
“Hosting a competition of this nature apart from serving as a platform to discover young talents will be a good parting gift to the people of the state.”
Apart from special presentations to outstanding players from various teams, the finalists were given complete sports kits, courtesy of RSDF which provided full sponsorship of the league for the second consecutive year.
