" We Are Going For The Trophy''-Mike Idoko Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars FC speaks exclusively to Fabmimiblog. Read details.

Lobi star FC Vice Chairman,Mr Mike Idoko has said they are aiming at the trophy in this year’s Nigeria Premiership League , Idoko who is optimistic of winning the title this season said with all arrangements he has put in place plus the support the sports loving Governor Mr Samuel Ortom has given to the club,he is very confident that his team will win the league title this season.

Mike Idoko who was speaking to Fabmimiblog in Abuja last friday before the start of a new league said as a seasoned Football administrator who has managed many clubs in the country,successfully,he was invited to the state by the governor,Mr Samuel Ortom to come back home and develop sports in the state.


Read excerpts from his interview with Mimi Atedze and Ukan Kurugh



FMB.....Good Morning Mr Mike Idoko,congratulations on your appointment as Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars FC,first of all i like to know what experience you are bringing into the management of Lobi Stars FC and why you think you can make a difference.

Idoko.......Thank you so much Mimi,my coming into Lobi stars is divine .When a new government headed by the sport loving governor of Benue state ,Mr Samuel Ortom took over affairs ,he invited us to come back home and develop sports ,especially football in the state,that is why i returned to Lobi Stars,we created a record while i was the team manager of Lobi Stars in 1999 when we won the league.
I have managed football,in all the geopolitical regions of nigeria and i know how the game of football works in the country,coming home to work for the state was a great idea because when  i was Team Manager at  Lobi stars ,they won the league in 1999,and since then Lobi Stars has not been able to win any title,it was the year i left Lobi stars that it won FA cup,under late Tersoo Luga who was the Team Chairman,i worked with him during Akume's regime,Lobi Stars has not won any title since then.


FMB.....Now Mr idoko what is your Philosophy about managing a Team.


Idoko.....My philosophy about life generally revolves around Matthew 6:33, [But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.] this is why each time i start work in a team,i first of all dedicate the team to God.Secondly my philosophy is to develop young talents to  become super stars tomorrow.Many young players i trained are performing well in their various clubs now,God used me to bless them,they are all over scattered around the world playing good football,let me name a few of them,the likes of Anthony Ujah,Fego Ogunde, Godfrey Obobone,Omeruah,Thompson Odeh,Isah Ijebo and others are playing well in other countries .Lobi stars has produced many National team players,Lobi stars has also groomed great players,who are now stars,the Imadu brothers,Adoga brothers are all these players produced from Lobi Stars during competitions like the governors cup,we also produced players who are now are coaching too.


Fmb .....How many players have you signed since so far,especially young ones?

Idoko .......We came to Lobi stars,3 weeks to the commencement of the league, we were able to promote about 3 good players to the senior team, we don't want old players claiming to be young players,so we have plans to create under 20 and under 15 so that age cheating will be a thing of the past.Our sports loving gov is also supporting in all our programmes, we  plan to get players from the 3 political geo zones in the state,by doing this we are setting the stage to encourage grassroot football,most of our
players have become coaches, they will be sent to get young players in the local governments,

FMB....Sir ,the state is struggling hard to sponsor the Team,it's not been easy with the team,don't you think getting private sponsorship will help the team, what are your plans to get private sector to support the team?


Idoko.....We have already started the process of getting individuals and private bodies to partner with us,our latest jerseys are the result of partnership with a foreign company ,the company invested about N15 Million in sponsoring our new jerseys and kit,The company is DoubleBen from Thailand,the chairman of the company is my friend, he played one of the teams in the south west ,and currently manages Thailand President's club,our personal relationship made him to sponsor Lobi Stars FC jerseys.

Before getting sponsors,we have to put in structures for the FC,we want to develop our structures first,we want a secretariat,we want to create departments like Admin,Technical,medical,Media,Protocol etc so that investors will show interest and invest in our team.When i came on board i met structures developed at the Mccarty Stadium,i commend the past management for putting such structures on ground and developing them for players,but we need to have a place to attract sponsors.When looking for sponsorship,these are the things sponsors look out for.

After developing structures,we will start to build a team,a committed team,a winning and disciplined team,it is only then then that we can attract sponsorship,i know it will take time, but i also know from the contacts we have and with God on side and our performance we will have contacts that can come in and support ,for now we can't take sponsorship away from government, am a member of the league management committee of Nigeria Football league, we want to see how we can put Lobi Stars in the stock market so that people can buys shares and invest in the club.

FMB ......Your technical crew, are you satisfied with them?...


Idoko....The crew has done well,taking over a team that was almost last on the table,and improving within a short period,i give them kudos,we lost this league because of one single point,i am very satisfied with my coaches,a lot still needs to be done but i have confidence in my coaching crew.


FMB ....Finally Mr Idoko ,what are your expectations in this upcoming season?

Idoko...Ask any other  team in Nigeria ,they all want to win,that is also my expectations this season," We are going for the trophy'',that's my target.At this point i want to use this opportuniy to commend our sports loving governor,Samuel Ortom for supporting this great team,inspite of the recession and high demands in the state,he has kept to his promises by ensuring that all salaries of players,bonuses,and allowances are cleared and paid up to date,we promised him during the presentation of the pre-season cup we won at Government House that we will surely pick this season's title.We are also doing everything possible to keep and prepare our players for this season,its not easy espercially when good players leave for greener pastures ,but we know they will return when their supposed green is not lush after all,This year's league is going to be very tough,competitive and challenging but we will overcome.

We urge all Benue indigenes to support the state team,the team is for all of us,it does not belong to me or the coaches,i commend our supporters and fans,their numbers have increased this shows how committed they are to our team..thank you all ,we are working towards keeping our Jerseys at Liaison offices across Nigeria so that ,everyone can buy and support the club.

Fmb.......Talking about preparing for this season,how many players did you sign for this season

Idoko..... We signed about 6 players this season,we are almost through with their documentation,with this development am very confident that we will pick the trophy this season.

Fmb......any word for Lobi stars FC Fans?

Idoko ......They should keep supporting and praying for the team,we are open to criticism and suggestions,keep promoting us and keep watching our matches,am ready to carry fans along for the show of support they have given to the club...

Fmb...Thank you so much Mr idoko,that will be all for now.


Idoko....Thank you Mimi

Lobi Stars played their first league march last saturday with 3sc Ibadan....



Goodluck to the team .