The Team Manager of the Gboko United Football Academy, Rev Fr Christopher Agev, has described football as a new religion that is gaining popularity. Rev Fr Agev made this statement in an interview with The VoiceSports after the Gboko-based side lost 2-4 via penalties to Msughshima Clinic Football Club of Vandeikya in a keenly contested third-place match.
“Football is like a new religion that is springing up,” he said. “We have many youths engaged in sporting activities now, and it’s another way of evangelization. Sports distract youths from vices and provide a platform for them to explore their talents.”
The Team Manager noted that the Academy was founded by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko under Bishop William Avenya. However, the team was not given a name that connotes Catholicism to make it inclusive for youths of all religions.
“The football Academy is owned by the Diocese of Gboko, but the intention is to bring all youths together, irrespective of their religion,” he explained. “It’s open to all youths, which is why it doesn’t have a Catholic name.”
As a Catholic priest with a background in Sports Management and Coaching, Rev Fr Agev affirmed that Bishop Avenya’s dream is for the Gboko United Football Academy to serve as a platform for youths to excel in football.
Reacting to his team’s performance, Rev Fr Agev expressed satisfaction, noting that they would have aimed to register for the National League One (NLO) if they had started earlier.
He advised players to remain humble, listen to their coaches, and be disciplined. “This stage of their career is to learn, be disciplined, and be obedient,” he said.
Rev Fr Agev also counseled parents who view football as a non-lucrative business, stating that the world has changed. “People love playing football and are making a living from it,” he said. “When you’re a footballer, people know you worldwide, and you become a national figure.”
