Joel Ajayi
Lagos – In a groundbreaking move to revamp grassroots football development, the Benue State Football Association (BSFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute for Sports (NIS) to establish a structured coaching certification program in Benue State. The agreement, signed at the NIS headquarters in Lagos, marks a major step towards professionalizing football coaching in the state.
Speaking at the event, BSFA Chairman, Chief Dr. Paul Edeh Esq, described the moment as one of the most fulfilling since assuming office on 17th June 2022. He noted that his administration had envisioned making Benue a hub for grassroots football, anchored on sustainability, integrity, and professionalism.
“One of the major challenges we identified as a board was the alarming number of unqualified individuals handling coaching at all levels in the state, from academies to secondary schools. Less than 20 coaches in the entire state had attended NIS training. Hence, many of those training our young lads have no formal coaching credentials. This partnership with NIS is our bold response to that gap,” Edeh stated.
It will be recalled that the BSFA at its last AGM decided that upon the commencement of the the coaching partnership with the NIS, no individual will be recognized as a coach in Benue State without obtaining an NIS certificate. The initiative, set to commence in May 2025, will train 100 coaches per batch, with the goal of certifying at least 500 coaches within the first three years. Participants will be drawn from across all 23 local government areas in the state, which would ensure equitable participation of all grassroots coaches.
The Director General of NIS, Prof. Olawale A. Moronkola, lauded BSFA’s commitment to grassroots football development, noting that Benue is setting a precedent for other states to follow.
“We have seen the impact of structured grassroots coaching in states like Lagos and Adamawa. No country develops sports without strengthening its foundation. This initiative by BSFA is commendable, and we believe it will produce long-term benefits for football in Nigeria,” Moronkola said.
The MoU outlines a three-year initial framework, with room for renewal. BSFA will oversee the selection and funding of participants, while NIS will design and implement the curriculum, issue certificates, and provide expert facilitators. The program is expected to be a game-changer in raising the standard of coaching in Benue State.
Chief Edeh further noted that this initiative is not a one-off project but a sustainable system that will keep producing technically sound coaches, ultimately benefiting the state’s football ecosystem.
“This is a structured revolution. We are taking Benue football to new heights, which will ensure that those entrusted with developing young players are properly trained and certified. Our vision is clear; Benue must become a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria,” he added.
With the signing of this MoU, Benue becomes the first state FA in Nigeria to fully integrate NIS certification as a mandatory requirement for coaches to practice their trade in the state. The move signals a new dawn for football development in the state, promising to elevate the game from the grassroots up.
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Assar, Aruna lead African charge at WTT Champions Chongqing 2025
The 2025 ITTF Africa Cup champion, Omar Assar of Egypt, and his continental rival, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, are among the top 32 players in the world set to compete for glory at the $800,000 prize money WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 in China.
The tournament also features Africa’s top female players, Hana Goda and Dina Meshref of Egypt, who will battle against 30 other elite players, including the world No. 1 from China, in the first WTT Champions event of 2025.
WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 marks the season’s inaugural WTT Champions event, showcasing 32 Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles in electrifying action under the purple lights from March 11 to 16.
Assar will face German pen-holder Dan Qiu in the first round on Wednesday, March 12, while Aruna faces his biggest challenge yet against world No. 2, Wang Chuqin of China, in their first-ever competitive match on the same day.
For the first time in the WTT series, Chuqin and Aruna will go head-to-head in an intriguing first-round encounter.
Aruna, a seasoned competitor, brings experience and tactical versatility to the table, while Wang, backed by his ice-cold composure and a roaring home crowd, will aim to dictate the tempo. With no past meetings to reference, both players will step into uncharted waters in this Chongqing showdown.
