By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Chairman, Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Paul Edeh, says being honoured with the Africa Sports and Tourism Awards (ASTA), will spur him to invest more in grassroots football in the country.

Edeh was honored on Thursday in Abuja with the ‘Mentor of the Year’ award.

The sports administrator and philanthropist told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the award was an honour in an environment with many sports/tourism industry bigwigs.

NAN reports that Edeh and 15 other prominent Nigerians were honoured  for their immense contribution to the development of sports and tourism in Nigeria and Africa.

The 2024 inaugural ASTA had as its theme “Sports as a Catalyst for Accelerated Tourism Development in Africa”.

Edeh, who highlighted the importance of sports to the nation’s development, said the award could not have come at a better time.

“To be recognised among the very best in the country, for me I count it a very rare privilege that God has given to me.

“I know that among all the recipients, am probably the youngest and it goes to say that this is indeed an award I will never toy with because it is something every normal human being looks forward to,” he said.

The elated BSFA boss said that the award would further spur him to the development of sports, especially grassroots football in Nigeria.

“For me it’s a rare privilege to experience this kind of award.

“I will continue to promote sports, particularly the game of football in all spheres.

”Of course, as the chairman of BSFA, the award will spur me to continue to grow the game at the grassroots and support women in sports,” he said.

Edeh said that as part of plans to transform football in Benue, the inaugural BSFA sports awards would be coming up in June, to mark his one year in office as BSFA chairman.

He assured that under his leadership, football administration and development in Benue would be taken to the next level, in line with international best practices.

The sports administrator also stressed the need to give more support to the development of women football and women in sports generally.

Edeh commended the organisers of the Awards, while advocating for more investment in sports to fast track the socio-economic development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Other award recipients include; Sports Minister Sen. John Owan Enoh, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior; Ibrahim Gusau, NFF President; Mrs Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Governor Babaji Sanwo-Olu of Lagos among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)