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Women Football: Benue State’s Honey Badgers Unveil New Team Manager
In their quest to attain higher heights, Honey Badgers have appointed and unveiled an experienced Technical Adviser (TA).
He is Coach Liadi Bashiri, a known tactician in Nigeria’s women’s football circle, who had handled Confluence Queens of Lokoja and Osun Babes in the recent past.
At his unveiling in Makurdi, Benue State capital at the weekend, the Chairman of Honey Badgers, Mr Abdul Sule, said the choice of coach Liadi as the club’s technical adviser was due to his rich vast coaching records.
Sule, an ex-international said, “It’s our desire to keep ensuring that Honey Badgers grow from one point to another. And that is why we are doing everything possible to engage capable hands.”
The club chairman also announced the reconstitution of the entire technical crew with coach Felicia Anthony being elevated to the position of a head coach.
Also, Sani Baba and Theresa Wuhe were promoted to assistant coaches.
The Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Barr. Paul Edeh, who was flanked by board members to the unveiling event, described women’s football as a pride.
While speaking to the Honey Badgers players, he said, “I sincerely have top regards for any woman who takes to playing football. The reason is because number one – it takes courage to do what you are doing, particularly when you identify the stigma attached to those who don’t understand the beauty of what you are doing.
“Two – with what you are doing today, that is playing football, you are already the breadwinners in your homes. The third is the fact that you are making Benue State proud. As we talk about women’s football in the state, Honey Badgers remain the only team in the mainstream, participating in the championship of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
“Let me congratulate you perhaps for the very first time after you returned from Ijebu Ode. I understood you fought with vigour… and that is why I’m pretty sure that with the appointment of a Technical Adviser who knows what it takes at the highest level, you will be better off for it.”
The BSFA chairman who is the founder of the women’s club commended the coaches for their commitment and contributions in steering its affairs while tasking the reconstituted technical crew to redouble their efforts in moving the club forward.
To the new TA, he said, “To whom much is given, much is also expected. Coach Liadi you know that lots of responsibilities are on your shoulders as you have become the father of the players in Honey Badgers.
“It is left for you to carry all the experiences you have gathered and bring it to bear here in Makurdi. For BSFA, we will give you all the support that you need to succeed because women’s team is a pride.
Talking about the plans of Benue FA for women’s football development, Barr. Edeh said, “The Benue State Football Association is is very determined to put women forward, and I say so with a deep sense of responsibility being founder of two women’s clubs that are operating concurrently and smoothly.
“By the grace of God, I’m very sure that many women’s football clubs will spring in every nook and cranny of the state with time. It is my desire that pretty soon Honey Badgers will qualify to play in the NWFL Premiership.
“And when you do so, there are discussions already on for the Benue state government to come into this matter and possibly take over Honey Badgers when discussions are famed up. When that happens, I’m very sure you will be more excited and happier for it.”
The BSFA chairman later announced a donation of 25 balls to both Honey Badgers and a newly founded women’s club in Benue State.
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