The following interview with Apostle Chur Jr MichaelRandy, the Chief Servant/Chief Executive Officer of Invincible Angels Football Club Gboko, was conducted in 2020, in his Gboko residence. In the 2018/2019 season, Invincible Angels FC played in the Nigeria Women’s Premier League. As of 2020, no fewer than 18 girls had passed through Invincible Angels FC Gboko to feature in the Nigeria and female national football teams, including the Super Falcons, the Falconets and the Flamingoes, with some plying their trade with foreign clubs. In 2022, he told me, after sharing the story of King David’s kindness to Jonathan’s household, specifically to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, after Jonathan died, that his day too will come. When the day came on August 7, MikeRandy Chur wept. Read excerpts:
Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Yes. I am Apostle Chur Jr MichaelRandy, the chief servant and Chief Executive Officer of Invincible Angels Football Club Gboko. In the 2018/2019 season, we played in the Nigeria Women’s Premier League. It was an abridged league of four groups; four teams per group. We ended last. We went for an elimination playoff with Dream Stars FC of Lagos. We played 1:1 in the regulation time and lost out on penalties. We are now in the Nigeria Women National League.
So, how are you doing in managing this club?
We are doing fine. I said so because one with God is with the majority. God is on our side, and so we will not count our shortcomings; we will count our blessings.
Are there any challenges?
The challenges are not too many, but there are many. The biggest challenge of any football club is sponsorship, and ours is no exception.
We have been in constant touch with the Benue State Government for assistance. His Excellency Samuel Ortom has been supporting the club in one way or another. However, like Oliver Twist, we need total sponsorship. What is always released to us has always been like a drop in the ocean because of our challenges. We have 35 players and 15 members of staff—both technical and administrative staff. So, it’s a huge burden on us.
Have you enjoyed the support of individuals?
The Begha U Tiv, His Eminence Prof Ayatse, is very passionate about the success of Invincible Angels. He promised to be available to raise funds and also speak to well-to-do Tiv sons and Benue sons and daughters to support us. Senator Orker Jev has been a very good ally to fall back on. What I have said here does not mean that other individuals who help us are sidelined. I appreciate our donors, like the management of Flight Transport Company.
Are you planning something like an appeal launch?
Benue State is not good at such things. We tried in the past. Unfortunately, the people you invite may turn out to be very busy on the day. We have always been knocking on the doors of people to come in. Again, many people will not like to see their names on such a thing, especially now that EFCC is let loose on whoever spends more than One Million Naira.
We are not planning a launch. However, we welcome donations.
What about your girls playing football abroad and those who are playing elsewhere? Do they come here to support you?
Yes. I answered so because Christ healed several lepers, but only one came back. Of course, many of them are ignorant to come back to sow a seed where they started. There are some who come back here. Linda Kpamber (with Bayelsa Queens) donated a set of jerseys. Doom Iorliam was also here and donated two footballs. I don’t want to mention those who have gone international; I want to mention those who are at home for their show of love.
How many girls have left here for the national teams?
As at last count, they were 18. Some are currently with the Under-17 national team. They are part of the team that defeated Guinea 5:1.
What gives you the strength or encouragement to keep pushing?
(Laughs). The strength comes from God. Secondly, whatever you are doing and you begin to see the fruits of that which you are doing, and people who were laughing turn around to celebrate with you, it gives cause to be happy.
Only people with vision succeed and achieve anything meaningful. Thirdly, the words of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, when he said: If you want to harvest very quickly, plant maize; if you want to harvest mid-term, plant oranges, but if you want to harvest for life, train humans.
What are your words to sports lovers in Benue State?
I am sorry to say we don’t have sports lovers in Benue State, or maybe those sports lovers are stuck with Lobi Stars FC. When Lobi was Hawks and was not enjoying government sponsorship, people were contributing to keep the club afloat. When Black Tigers were run by Wantaregh Paul Unongo, it enjoyed the support of the people; Sir Akpoo enjoyed it while alive. In our case, maybe it is because Invincible Angels is a feminine football club, and so, people who would have supported us keep running us down: That we are exploiting the girls. Some even feel that we do not deserve to head them. Lastly, “Or kuma or sha kwagh ga” (the idea that the one doing a particular thing is not fit to handle it). How can a physically challenged person be doing this kind of thing, and those of us who are able are not doing it? Let this thing be taken away from him for someone with a “big head”, tummy and or someone with a long name of a successful Nigerian like Dangote, Tilley Gyado, Akiga, and then people will give their support.
I am not a strange name to Benue people who matter. All the gladiators know that they have a brother who is physically challenged and is sacrificing to help the Benue girl child.
Let me surprise you, the tires of my wheelchair (pointing to it) have worn out. It was donated to me by Chariots of Hope, United States of America. I did a Google search, saw them, and made the request, and they agreed to donate it to me on the condition that I had someone in the USA who would collect it on my behalf. They told me that their services were not international, and so, I turned to Tersur Agundu, and that’s how it got to me. It has been with me since 2009. Now, I do have to move about in hired cars, including when I travel to Makurdi.
If we had sports lovers in the state, there would have been someone to donate a wheelchair or even a car to ease my movement.
