By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, BSU, Professor Tor Iorapuu, has described as unique the initiative to balance education with sports introduced by the Benue State Football Association, BSFA, expressing optimism that if the project is pursued with seriousness in the next five years, a good number of athletes especially footballers would achieve their dreams in sports and education.
Iorapuu who made the remarks when he spoke during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to balance education with sports particularly football tagged ” Edu-Ball” between the Benue State University, BSU and Benue State Football Association, held at the conference hall of the new Vice Chancellor’s office complex at the University yesterday in Makurdi.
He emphasized that blending the game was key in assisting footballers manage their resources both human, physical and material, arguing that most of them had find it difficult to even managed their lives well, a situation he noted has sent many to their early graves.
” Edu- Ball” initiative is very critical, what is more interesting to me is balancing sports with education. I want to thank BSFA Chairman and his team for the bold initiative which I see as novel.” Iorapuu said, challenging department of human kenetics to ensure that the dream is realized.
He opened that the initiative alone would encourage young athletes particularly those in love with football and other sports to choose BSU as a place to study, adding that the MOU would equally add dignity to accreditation of courses at the department and described the initiative as innovative.
The BSU Vice Chancellor who commended the BSFA for the project, assured the team that management under his leadership would ensure the realization of the project.
In a remark after the signing, Chairman, Benue State Football Association,Paul Edeh, said the idea of the MOU is to create an opportunity for young athletes especially those who have taken football as a profession in Benue and state’s to enable them play football and also pursue education up to university level, adding that the programme will help them have a balance between education and sports.
He said BSFA decided to introduced Edu-Ball having discovered that many young athletes felt it is not possible to play football and go to school, stressing that the programme is about helping young footballers go to school to develop themselves academically and at the same time play football.
According to Edeh, the partnership will help young footballers know how to manage their resources, make smart choices for their future, pointing out that many footballers had made money in the past but because of illiteracy, are broke today for lack of proper education.
He said the partnership on the other hand will help the university to attract a huge population of talented students in love with sports, as the best footballers and other sports will gain admission in the university, adding that such students will also represent the institution at the all University games, expressing optimism that such students will make the university proud.
The BSFA Chairman who said new facilities like sports labs, first aid center and a digital content studio would be built, making BSU as a top destination for sports and education commended the Vice Chancellor, Senate and council of the university for giving approval for the project, expressing optimism that BSU as the first institution in Africa to champion the Edu-Ball project, will build a pathway for other universities to follow.