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In a bold move to ignite the next generation of athletes and champions, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Rt. Hon. Bem Tseen, has officially launched a transformative coaching clinic aimed at breathing new life into sporting activities across secondary schools in the state. Held at Government College Makurdi, the event united coaches and games masters from all 23 local government areas, signaling a united front in nurturing talent from the ground up.
Declaring the clinic open on behalf of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Hon. Tseen hailed the initiative as a cornerstone of the governor’s educational blueprint. “This is the bedrock of meaningful development,” Tseen emphasized, spotlighting sports’ pivotal role in societal growth. He urged school managers—especially in secondary education—to align with the state’s developmental strides, positioning them as critical implementers of Alia’s visionary agenda.
The clinic isn’t just about drills and strategies; it’s a clarion call for holistic youth empowerment. By fostering discipline, teamwork, and resilience through sports, organizers believe it will unlock untapped potential in Benue’s vibrant student population, turning playground dreams into national podium realities.
The event buzzed with intellectual firepower, featuring powerhouse presentations from leading scholars that blended theory with actionable insights:
– Professor Abachi’s Economic Power Play: Delivering a riveting paper titled *”Sports as a Catalyst for Economic Development,”* Prof. Abachi unpacked sports’ massive contributions to economic advancement. From job creation to global visibility, he illustrated how investing in athletics could supercharge Benue’s economy, the nation, and even the international community. “Sports isn’t just a game—it’s an economic engine,” Abachi declared, leaving attendees fired up about the untapped fiscal goldmine in school fields.
– Dr. Moses Kpakko’s Personal Touchdown: Legendary footballer and sports icon Dr. Moses Kpakko took the stage with *”Grassroots Talent Discovery: The Role of School Sports.”* Diving deep into the central role schools play in spotting and nurturing raw talent, Kpakko issued a passionate plea to secondary school coaches: “Take your roles seriously—you’re shaping the future stars of our sports industry!”
Adding a heartfelt layer, Dr. Kpakko shared his own rags-to-riches journey: a product of grassroots discovery through the mentorship of his coach, Sir Akpor, and the unwavering support of his early education games masters. His story resonated like a victory roar, reminding everyone that every elite athlete starts as a wide-eyed kid on a dusty pitch.
No punches pulled—Dr. Kpakko laid bare the roadblocks stalling grassroots sports development: inadequate funding, crumbling infrastructure, limited parental awareness of sports’ life-changing impact on kids, and a glaring lack of motivation for budding developers. “These aren’t just challenges; they’re calls to action,” he urged.
In a rallying cry, the football legend tasked the executive secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board and the state government to join hands in smashing these barriers. Collaboration, he stressed, is key to unlocking Benue’s sporting renaissance.
The Sports Council, represented by HCT Peter Obaike, echoed the enthusiasm, commending Hon. Tseen’s initiative for inspiring young sports enthusiasts. “We’re ready to offer full support,” Obaike assured, positioning the council as a steadfast ally in this youth-fueled mission.
The clinic wrapped on a high note with closing remarks from Ag. Director of Sports, TSB, Mr. Jacob Enngo. Overflowing with gratitude, Enngo thanked the ES, Benue State Governor, paper presenters, and all participants. “Endeavour to participate fully,” he implored coaches, as the program powers on until Friday, October 3, 2025. With hands-on sessions and networking ahead, the real magic is just beginning.
This coaching clinic isn’t a one-off—it’s the spark for a statewide sports revival, aligning perfectly with Governor Alia’s commitment to education as Benue’s growth engine. As coaches disperse with fresh tools and renewed fire, one thing’s clear: Benue’s future champions are laced up and ready to run.
From: The Information Unit, TSB
Photo Credits: Event Coverage
