By Moses Mbaiorga
The Benue State Government has indicated interest to take over the management and sponsorship of Invincible Angels FC Gboko as the need to own a female soccer team is heightened.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Ojotu Ojema gave this indication recently, when he received the management team of Invincible Angels FC of Gboko, in his office in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
According to the Sports and Youths Commissioner, the club had done credibly well in developing women football, not only in Benue state but Nigeria at large, having produced national team players who are mostly plying their trade abroad.
Ojema noted that it would not be out of place, if Benue state also have a women football team just like other states in Nigeria, stressing that Invincible Angels FC was already handy with a formidable structure and is willing to surrender to the state government.
He expressed his willingness to present a memo to the State Executive Council on the matter and to revive the six-member committee, earlier set by his predecessor to work out modalities for the take over of the club.
Ojema who commended management of Invincible Angels FC for their resilience in the face of daunting challenges, assured that the state government would look into some of their pressing needs, while working out modalities for government take over.
Earlier, the chief servant of the club, Chur Jr. MichaelRandy had enumerated the contributions of Invincible Angels FC to the development of women football in Nigeria to include discovery of great players like Francisca Ordega, Alice Ogebe, Mary Anam Imo, Soo Adekwagh, Ayila Loveth, Dooshima Tarnum, Adoo Yina and Hembafan Ayatsea among other great players who he said are playing all over the world.
Chur however, lamented the relegation of Invincible Angels FC from Nigeria Women Premier League to the Nigeria Women Championship League, due to inadequate sponsorship.
He mentioned other challenges to include payment of club house rents, lack of club bus, kits among others and called for government to take over for better sponsorship.
On the entourage of MichaelRandy were: Team Manager, George Igbana, Assistant Team Manager, Hembafan Tomwase, Secretary, Esther Akosu, Marketing Manager, Amos Gbatse, Welfare Officer, Ujah Godfrey and Abraham Ayangakuma, Media Officer.