Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State has pledged to revive the defunct Benue Cement Company (BCC) Lions and establish Benue as a sports hub.
Speaking at the maiden Summit of Media Directors of the Nigeria Premier Football League Clubs at Kimbis International Hotel in Makurdi, he outlined his administration’s efforts to restore sports to its former glory.
These efforts include sponsoring Independent Sports Organizations, reinstating the Governor’s Cup, supporting the state’s team at the National Youth Games, upgrading football pitches, rehabilitating athlete hostels, reviving All Secondary School Games, and ensuring timely payments for Lobi Stars players and staff.
Other things the Governor mentioned included donation of four brand new vehicles to Lobi Stars, and the massive ongoing rehabilitation work and upgrading of the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The Governor said “work is going to begin on the J.S. Tarka Stadium, Gboko, with a view to bringing back the defunct BCC Lions Football club.
He disclosed the plan to tap fully into the potentials of Benue youths in order to expand the state’s economy through sports even as he thanked the Nigeria Premier Football League for choosing Benue State to host the maiden submit for Clubs’ media directors..
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Prince Davidson Owumi, and the President of NPFL Media Officers’ Forum, Amos Eche, acknowledged the developmental strides of Governor Alia, emphasizing the attention he has given to sports in Benue State.
The group made Governor Alia its ‘Grand Patron’ in recognition of his efforts in upgrading sports in Benue State.
The Benue State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange; the Advisor, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Denis Akura, and the Vice Chairman, Lobi Stars Football Club, Dominic Iorfa, were amongst other dignitaries present at the occasion.