Benue Sports Commissioner unveils global target, grassroots format for 2025 Governor’s Cup

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Government has outlined an ambitious plan to elevate the 2025 Governor’s Cup to international visibility while deepening grassroots participation across the 23 local government areas.

This emerged during a strategic meeting between the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Mr. Imojime Tizza, and the leadership of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) in Makurdi.

Mr. Tizza described the Governor’s Cup as the most prestigious sporting event in the state, noting that last year’s edition set a new standard with the presence of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who sat alongside Governor Hyacinth Alia to watch the finals. He said the 2025 tournament would surpass previous editions in colour, organisation and global reach.

According to the Commissioner, the state has already held preliminary consultations aimed at redefining the tournament’s outlook. Although details will be officially unveiled later, he assured that the coming edition would be “a local competition with international characteristics,” projected to attract attention beyond Nigeria and Africa.

Tizza acknowledged the support of the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), which pledged to back the event after initial discussions. He credited Governor Alia’s leadership for making diaspora engagement easier, noting that it has encouraged him to urge Benue sons and daughters-Tiv, Idoma, Igede and others worldwide-to invest in sports development at home.

The Commissioner stressed that the tournament presents an opportunity for every Benue indigene to contribute to youth empowerment, creativity, agriculture, and other sectors critical to state development. He formally endorsed the 2025 edition of the Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia Benue State Governor’s Cup, urging stakeholders to roll up their sleeves for a more spectacular outing.

Outlining the proposed format, Tizza revealed that this year’s edition will begin at the ward level to ensure wider participation. Ward winners will advance to represent their local government areas, creating a pipeline of talent and ensuring the competition reaches the grassroots.

He recounted witnessing exceptional talent among youths in rural communities, including an under-20 player whose skill could earn him international recognition if properly exposed. He appealed to the BSFA to integrate the new tiered competition model into their calendar.

Under the proposed timetable, ward-to-LGA qualifiers would run from December 1 to 10, giving local councils time to select their representative teams. The main tournament is slated for December 15 to 21, culminating in the emergence of a “Super 10” that will battle for the trophy from January 4 to 6, subject to approval by the governor and the State Executive Council.

Responding, BSFA Chairman, Mr. Paul Edeh, said the FA was at the ministry to align its plans with the government’s vision, noting that the Governor’s Cup was revived last year after being dormant for about eight years. He recalled the governor’s pledge to sustain the tournament throughout his tenure, a commitment the FA regards as binding.

Edeh outlined the association’s key requests, including the formal endorsement of the 2025 edition and the issuance of a workable timetable. He also called for early sensitisation of all 23 local governments to ensure their readiness to participate fully in the competition.

The FA chairman also urged the ministry to collaborate closely with the association to raise the tournament’s quality beyond last year’s performance, already rated by many FA colleagues nationwide as one of the best-organised state football competitions in Nigeria.

He further requested that a formal date be fixed for the presentation of this year’s trophy to Governor Alia, just as last year’s trophy was presented by the NFF President. Edeh appealed for continued parity in rewards, trophies, jerseys and benefits for both male and female categories, an innovation introduced in the last edition.

The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to ensure that the 2025 Governor’s Cup begins and concludes as scheduled, with improved organisation, greater visibility and expanded opportunities for young football talents across Benue State.