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After more than four years without elite domestic competitions, Makurdi has been restored to the national football map following the efforts of Simon Terver Ikya, Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club. Through administrative coordination, strategic engagement, and personal commitment, Ikya led the campaign that secured national approval for the McCarthy Stadium, transforming the once-neglected arena into a certified venue for top-tier matches.
The revival has already yielded tangible results, with Makurdi selected as one of the centres for the President Federation Cup. In the coming week, the Benue State capital will host eight clubs for four matches in the Round of 64 fixtures, a development described as an institutional endorsement of the stadium’s regained credibility and competitive prestige within Nigerian football.
Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia of Benue State also received significant recognition for committing substantial resources toward restoring sporting infrastructure across the state. Despite considerable challenges, the Governor sanctioned critical reconstruction works and facilitated the remodeling of the McCarthy Stadium while continuing major upgrades at the Aper Aku Stadium, with ambitions extending beyond national relevance toward international standards. Observers note that Governor Alia’s appointment of Ikya an astute football administrator proved decisive, as the chairman contributed personal resources, supervised compliance processes, and sustained the engagements necessary to meet approval standards.
Recently, the Nationwide League One hosted its North Central Conference at the McCarthy Stadium, where nine clubs competed fiercely for qualification. At the conclusion of the tournament, a Benue-based side, Flight FC, emerged with the coveted ticket, further repositioning Makurdi from a forgotten venue into a recognised destination for national football activities.
According to the account, while Governor Alia provided the governmental backbone and infrastructural momentum, Ikya supplied the administrative engine that ensured the objective was achieved, combining governance with sporting aspiration to reopen the gates of football glory in Benue State.
