The Ambassador made this disclosure over the weekend.

He stated that Ratels Foundation will ensure that Benue State Football Association is well equipped ahead of the Super 8.

Edeh added that the Ratels Foundation was ready “to support you (Benue State Football Association) all through as we are very happy to grow the development of Benue football. Ratels believes that this is a partnership that works and must continue to deliver value to the delight of all the people of Benue.”

“I’m happy with the way Benue State League was well organized and this has spurred me to do more at the Super 8.”

Ratels Foundation single-handedly sponsored the recently concluded Benue State Football League.

The Foundation blessed first to third placed teams with cash prizes, jerseys and Ratels branded balls.

Barrister Paul Edeh is the owner of Nigeria Women’s Football League clubs, Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers.

Santana FC emerged as champions of the Ratels/Benue State Football League after they stung Aeson FC 3-2 on penalties in the final played at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Friday afternoon.

It was misses galore on the part of Aeson in the first half. They were completely dominant and should have easily gone at least four up at the break.

Striker Orshi Peter nutmegged his marker but failed to beat the stranded keeper in the 5th minute.

Santana keeper Pel Wilfred came off the line to deny Luga Vincent from point blank. The advancing defender should have lobbed the keeper but he elected to go for the grounder.

Aeson’s Kakewo Anthony missed a sitter. He dribbled two defenders before firing wide.

It continued to be Aeson who created the opportunities as Pev Wilfred scrambled Adejo’s right footed strike away.

Orshi Peter missed a sitter late in the first stanza. Goalkeeper Onya Samuel spilled the ball but the striker surprisingly blasted it wide.

First half ended 0-0 in Makurdi.

Chances was at a premium as the fans urged the two teams to go for the jugular.

There was a big moment for Aeson as Adejo Solomon worked some space just inside the Santana box before dribbling goalkeeper Pev Wilfred and fired wide.

Substitute Anozie Samuel proceeded on series of stepovers and beat his marker, the cross from the winger evaded Terver Felix in the Santana box.

Within two minutes, two goals was scored in the match.

Santana found the breakthrough, and it was Alaka ThankGod who got it. He collected the ball with his back to goal before firing it to the roof on 77 minutes.

Aeson picked themselves up and attacked in numbers, Luga Vincent was illegally brought down by Idoko Joseph in the box. The left back dusted himself up to level from the spot.

Makurdi based Aesen looked certain to be in the lead when Anozie Samuel played the ball into the path of Adejo Solomon, who wa two-on-one with the keeper and duly slipped the pass to Terver Felix for what looked like a simple tap-in, but goalkeeper Pev Wilfred came flying.

The match had to be decided on penalties after it was all square at full time.

Pev Wilfred was the hero for Santana as he produced two saves in the shootouts.

Santana won 3-2 on penalties to emerge as Ratels/Benue State Football League champions.

Champions Santana FC were rewarded with the sum of #200,000 courtesy of Ratels Foundation. Second placed Aesen went home with #150,000 for their efforts. Hon Godwin Edoh Academy picked up #100,000 for placing third.

Ratel branded balls and jerseys were presented to first, second, third and fourth teams respectively at the closing ceremony.

25 teams started the journey and Santana emerged champions at the Aper Aku Stadium on Friday.

“My fulfillment is that we have made another history. From the Grassroots we can actually get the very best,” Barrister Paul Edeh who is the sole sponsor of the competition admitted in a chat with reporters on Friday afternoon.

“25 teams participated in this year’s Ratels/Benue State League. This is the way to go if we must promote the game of football in Nigeria. The Grassroots should be actively mobilized.”

“When we organized the Flying Officers Cup, people didn’t give us much of chance. Today, Ratels Sports Development Foundation is at it again making another history.”

The philanthropist stated his reasons for investing in the girl child.

“Right from when I was a teenager, I have always had target for the girl child. We live in a society that doesn’t pay much attention to the girl child.”

“This is my own little way of giving back to the society. The Society has made me who I am today. The least I can do is to pick one segment of life and make an impact.”

“That’s why I have devoted a lot of attention to the girl child. Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers that I own are both geared towards making life meaningful for the girl child.”

He hailed the standard exhibited and giant strides put in place by Benue State Football Association.

“I think the standard of the competition was really fantastic especially officiating and quality of soccer exhibited by the teams. There is a sense of satisfaction from me.”

“Special thanks goes to Benue State Football Association for organizing the tournament,” he added.

The competition was entertaining with goals flowing like milk and honey.

Naija Ratels owner Barrister Paul Edeh has been honoured with the Pillar of Football Development Award.

The award by Benue State Football Association to the philanthropist at the Aper Aku Stadium on Friday.

“This is a deserved honour and also a unanimous one in view of the selfless contributions of Barrister Paul Edeh, to the development and growth of football in Nigeria. And we hope it would spur him to doing more for sports in the country,” Benue State Football Association Supremo Hon. Margret Icheen said.

Responding to the honour done to him, an obviously elated Paul Edeh thanked Benue State Football Association, as he acknowledged that the honour is a challenge for him to do more.

“l feel greatly honoured and l say thank you to Benue State Football Association,” he said.

Top Sports firm, Ratels Sports Foundation have been unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Benue State Football League which will kick off in the first week of March.

In a press conference held at the Benue Hotels and resort, Markudi, on Friday evening, the Chairperson of the Benue State Football Association, Mrs Margaret Icheen noted that Ratels Sports Foundation, a sports firm owned by Barrister Paul Edeh has agreed to solely sponsor the 2021 State League, which will now be known as the “Ratels Benue State Football League”.

The top football administrator and former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly stated that the partnership between the Benue State F.A and Ratels Sports Foundation will definitely help the tournament get new audiences than ever before.

“We know Barrister Paul Edeh as a lover of Football, especially women’s football which he has been supporting from his heart.

“We are glad that his company, Ratels Sports Foundation has decided to be the sole sponsors of the 2021 Benue State Football League, which of course we know he did because of the love of football he has inside of him.

The Nigeria Women Football League board member further went on to say that the league will kick-off in the first week of March and the top team will participate at the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO).

“The league will kick off in the first week of March and registration of clubs across the state is on, and the team that comes top will play at the NLO.

She finally stated “We want to thank you for providing all we need to make this competition a success and we hope we can rely on you and your firm for more partnership.

In his thoughts, the Chairman of Ratels Sports Foundation and President of Naija Ratels Football Club, Barrister Paul Edeh heaped praises on the leadership qualities of the Benue State Football Association boss.

The United Nations SDG Peace Ambassador noted that the sponsorship of the state Football League is a response to the repeated call of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on the private sector partnering with him to develop the state from all quarters.

“We are proud to be the title sponsor of this tournament and look forward to a long-term partnership, ” The legal luminary said.

“We didn’t hesitate when the proposal of sponsoring the state league came to us, I am from Benue state and I have been longing and craving to partner with the leadership of the state F.A.

“I forayed into sponsoring sports several years ago and recently this competition, after I discovered that sports, especially the game of football is one of the key veritable tools and factors in uniting people.

“Moreso in the face of the repeated challenges that the state has been facing, such as the various attacks by the herdsmen and other communal clashes ravaging our community, definitely the game of football is one of the tools we can use to heal the wounds.

The Sports philanthropist also donated 42 premium balls for the success of the competition, stressing the need for more development in grassroots football in Benue State and Nigeria as a whole.

“We are sponsoring the league in line with the budget proposal 100%. It may interest you to know that Ratels Sports Foundation have an existing partnership with Zenith Sports, owners of Haggai Sportswear, last year we won the best brand team of Haggai, which means that there was no team that patronised the Sports kit company more than us.

“The biggest women football Pre-season Championship in Africa, the Flying Officers Cup was also sponsored by Ratels Sports Foundation, which was successfully executed and received great commendations across the globe.

“This year, our vision, desire and dream in Ratels Sports Foundation is to reach out to the grassroots, because that is one of the sectors that has been neglected both by the state and federal government. We will do more to climb the ladder of time and also ensure that we further strengthen our partnership after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Finally, we want to pledge our loyalty and supports to the chairperson of the Benue State F.A, Mrs Margaret Icheen, and most especially, we are endeared to you because you are the only female chairperson in the whole of the federation.” He concluded.

This year’s Benue State Football League is expected to be the biggest ever with over 40 teams participating and is scheduled to take place at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi starting from the first week of March. Fixtures will be released soon after the draws.