A former Super Eagles striker, Barnabas Imenger and a host of other football stakeholders in Benue State have endorsed the newly floated Galaxy Sports Academy in Makurdi. While unveiling the sports academy on Monday in Makurdi, the Executive Chairman of Galaxy Sports Development worldwide, Mr. Austin Akpehe said the grassroots sports initiative would commence with a football academy for boys and girls. Speaking at the occasion which was crowd-controlled because of the

Covid-19 induced suspension of all football activities as announced by the NFF, Akpehe said “There is the need to encourage football experts all over the globe to come to Benue State since there are abundant talents here.” He said Galaxy Sports Development has had successes by exposing young football players through its partnerships with Dreamfoot football academy and JM Liberty Academy which are Makurdi based academies.

Akpehe also disclosed that the partnership has produced four youngsters who are presently playing abroad. Also speaking Barnabas Imenger who is the Team manager of Lobi Stars harped on the need to return to grassroots football saying some of them were products of youth football competitions.

He said “I always support such initiatives because we have abundant talents in the state. There is the urgent need to discover and harness hidden talents.”

On his part, the vice-chairman of Galaxy Sports Academy, Hon. Terwase Aondokaa said “Together we can revive football in the state by supporting such youth football projects to stand firm.”

The member of Benue State House of Assembly representing Makurdi South Constituency however lamented that Benue youth have been shut out of Lobi Stars as he observed that the NPFL club is dominated by non-indigenes.

Other stakeholders who graced the unveiling of the sports academy were the Proprietor/General Manager of DreamFoot Academy, Mac Terhemba Imenger, former BCC Lions player, Igba Jija, Hon.Kris Atsaka, Hon. George Okoh, Derek Kakaan, Rogers Calvin Adaaku, Kennedy Iornem and Makurdi based businessman, Mr. Douglas Akya.