… ahead 81st birthday celebration on Monday
… with Feb Jnr. Idahosa donating 100 balls to IDP Camp, Edo FA women’s football league
The Edo State Football Association (Edo FA) on Sunday, July 28, recorded another huge success in football development in the state, following the Archbishop of Church of God Missions International, Archbishop Dr. Margaret Benson Idahosa’s donation of a giant Trophy to the Edo FA for Women Football League Tournament.
The Trophy Presentation which was held at the residence of Archbishop Dr. Margaret Benson Idahosa, the first female Archbishop in Africa, was witnessed by her Son, Bishop Feb Idahosa, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Bishop Wale Ajayi of the Miracle Centre Church of God Missions International, and family members.
The upcoming tournament to be competed for by women’s club sides in Edo State will no doubt help develop women’s football at the grassroots. To be known as ‘Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa Edo State Women Football League’, the women’s state league will be another milestone in the annals of football development in Edo State.
Receiving the members of the Edo State Football Association led by the Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse in her residence on Sunday, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa commended the apex football body in the state for their effort towards the development of football in Edo State, while appreciating God for the opportunity given to her to give back to the society especially the girl child.
“I appreciate you all for what you are doing. I also appreciate God for the opportunity he has given me to give back to society, especially the girl child.
“This annual event will help discover young talents no doubt, please make good use of this opportunity, and help engage the young girls and I am hopeful it will be successful,” Archbishop Margaret Idahosa said.
She further expressed, “I recall my husband left behind about 191 children under scholarship with Benson Idahosa University in my care; in sports, and Education, and today I am proud of their success stories.”
“We will continue to offer scholarships to young men and women in sports and education, as long as I live,” she maintained.
In his words, the Edo State Football Association Chairman, Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, a beneficiary of the Benson Idahosa University Scholarship during his degree and masters programmes, thanked Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa for the trophy donation, adding that the event will help promote women’s football in the State.
“Let me on behalf of the Board members of Edo FA, appreciate our mother, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, for this donation, as a mother of all in the State with track records.
“Giving back to the society through this event is massive for us. We appreciate your contributions towards sports development in Edo State, as this women’s event will help to discover hidden talents and develop women’s football in the State from the grassroots,” Erhunmwunse.
The Edo FA Chairman added, “Let me assure our mama, as the first of its kind in Nigeria, and the maiden Edition, the tournament will be well organised by the Edo FA, with teams from across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State participating.”
Erhunmwunse later presented The Edo FA souvenirs to Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa to the admiration of all present, which include some Edo FA Board members as Paul Ojeisekhoba; Mikhail Igbinovia; the Edo FA Secretary, Bisi Otupate; Paul Iheyen, Precious Obaseki, Mariam Okoli, amongst others
Notably, the first of its kind in Nigeria, the Edo FA Women State League Tournament is expected to commence in August this year with teams from the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State participating.
The courtesy visit was a golden opportunity for the Edo FA members to felicitate the Chancellor of the Benson Idahosa University, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa ahead of her 81st Birthday celebration which comes up on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Similarly, the first grandson of Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa of Church of God Mission International, Feb Jnr. Idahosa, in giving back to society, will next week in Benin City give out 100 quality footballs to IDP Camp and Edo FA Women’s Football League.
The Edo-born Most Valuable Player (MVP) at a Real Madrid Football Clinic in Baltimore, MD, USA, will on Wednesday, July 31, give out 50 quality footballs to kids in the IDP camp at Uhogua in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state, while the other 50 Balls will be given to the Women Teams participating in the maiden edition of Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa Edo State Women Football League Tournament which begins in August across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.
According to Feb Jnr. Idahosa, the presentation of the 100 footballs will be done in conjunction with the Apex Football body in the state, the Edo State Football Association led by its chairman Fred Newton Erhunmwunse.
The talented Edo-born footballer, who is the next big thing to happen to Nigeria Football, was invited by the Real Madrid Foundation for “The Real Madrid Experience” following his exploits at Baltimore MD, USA after he was named the MVP at a Football Clinic organised by the European Club Champions.
The Edo State Football Association Chairman who is expected to facilitate the presentation ceremony of the footballs is elated and grateful to the youngster who has remembered his roots and is ready to support his grandmother’s tournament in Edo State.
“I am so excited to be part of this development. First let me thank our Mama in the Lord, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa for the opportunity given to our young girls to showcase their God-given talents in the forthcoming women’s state league. The teams will be motivated and fired up with this donation of 50 footballs by the son of Bishop Feb Idahosa, and senior grandson of Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa. This is massive for us.
“No doubt the kids at the IDP Camp will be highly encouraged with the donation of 50 quality footballs to them, you never can tell, we may just discover some future stars at the IDP camp that will put on the colours of this great country with this development.
“The Edo FA will soon beam its searchlight on the camp to fish out some talents by way of organising some tournaments to engage the kids there,” Edo FA boss submitted.
Erhunmwunse stated that the presentation of the balls to the teams for the women’s league will be done during the final match of the 2024 Edo State Football League slated for July 31, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. He used the occasion to call on the Local FA Chairmen across Edo State to ensure women’s teams from their respective areas participate in the maiden edition of the women’s league.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Edo FA Chairman visited a congregation of all female footballers in Edo State. At the meeting, the Chairman addressed the girls, encouraging them and giving them extra motivation while expressing his heartfelt support through financial and material donations.
According to the Edo FA Chairman, “People believed that once I got into office, things would change. This is why as long as I’m here I will never fail the Edo People,”
He expressed his joy in seeing female footballers remain focused and advised them to never give up and always respect their coaches.
Speaking about the Maiden Edition of the Archbishop Margaret Idahosa Women’s Football League, Erhunmwunse reiterated that it is an opportunity for the young girls to show their talents and promised that under his watch female football in Edo State will never be neglected.
