From Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
A committee to work out modalities to have the defunct Benue Cement football club, better known as BCC Lions of Gboko, back to the Nigerian football stage has been constituted by the Chairman, Benue State Football Association (BAFA), Barr. Paul Edeh during the congress of the association held Saturday 5th August, 2023 in Makurdi.
Headed by one of the pioneer players of the club, the current Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars of Makurdi, and a member of the NPFL board, Mr. Dominic Iorfa, the committee is to ensure that everything required to bring back the club to life is done and the club resurrected.
Barr. Eden said, “the decision is part of efforts to deliver on my promise of repositioning football in Benue State, and also complement the role of Lobi Stars as well as reduce the pressure on the only elite club in the state”.
“I am suing for a total support and commitment among football stakeholders in the state that would create the needed atmosphere for us to implement policies and programs that would revive grassroots football and return us to the glory days of football in the State”.
The BAFA boss said, this has become necessary to reduce pressure on Lobi Stars which is the only elite Club in the state. The only way to do that, he continued, is to resuscitate BCC football club for the benefit of talented youths and coaches in the State.
“My confidence in members of this committee is unflinching, because I know that the team is made up of experienced personalities in football whose expertise would contribute to the realization of the stated goal”.
Responding on behalf of the committee members, Mr Iorfa thanked the Association for finding them worthy among many to carry out the task, saying bringing back BCC Lions would also expand the windows of opportunities for our youths in the state. He added that, they would key into the Barr Edeh-led administration to help him succeed.
Mr .Iorfa who is also NPFL Board Member assured that, “we will work together to deliver on the mandate that would see BCC Lions Football club revamped for the good of the numerous talented youths in the state”.
The committee members were immediately sworn in by the Director of Sports, Dr. Philip Nongo with a charge to work in line with the term of reference to deliver on the trust vested in them.
The committee members are Mr Domnic Iorfa as Chairman, Abdul Sule, Vice Chairman. Others are Felix Pilakyah, Charles Iortyom, Emma Abah, Barr Moses Ukpo, and Moses Kpakor as members, while Iorgulum Malu is to serve as Secretary.
