BESDA Launches Marathon and Football Tourney to Uplift Berom Girls Through Sports and Health Awareness

The Berom Sports Development Association (BESDA) is set to host two major sporting events this June aimed at promoting grassroots sports and empowering the girl child through health advocacy and active participation.

 

Speaking ahead of the events, President of BESDA, Geoffrey Bottson, expressed pride in the successful completion of the recent Berom Nations League and announced the association’s next focus — the WUROM Marathon and the NGO Hannatu Chollom Memorial Cup.

 

“We are a sports development association,” Bottson said. “After the success of the last Berom Nations League, we are moving straight to our next programs — the WUROM Marathon and the NGO Hannatu Chollom Memorial Cup.”

The WUROM Marathon, a 15-kilometre road race, will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025, with participants drawn from the 14 districts of Berom land. The race will start from Zawan Junction and finish at Secretariat Junction, with security personnel on ground to ensure safety throughout the event.

 

Following the marathon, BESDA will host the NGO Hannatu Chollom Memorial Cup on June 28 and 29 at Jos City Park. The tournament is exclusively for Berom girls at this stage and is designed to motivate young girls to participate in sports while raising awareness about cervical cancer.

 

“We are using the tournament as a platform to engage the girl child on important health topics like cervical cancer. This is more than just football — it’s about awareness and empowerment,” Bottson added.

 

To encourage wide participation and reward excellence, BESDA has announced cash prizes for top finishers in the marathon. In both the male and female categories, the first-place winner will take home ₦300,000, second place gets ₦200,000, and third place earns ₦100,000. Runners placing 4th to 14th will receive ₦15,000 each, and every participant will be awarded a certificate.

 

Bottson emphasized that while football remains a dominant sport in the region, Berom youths are also naturally inclined toward long-distance running and volleyball. “We want to harness our strengths in these areas and use them for broader development,” he said.

Plans are also in motion to identify top-performing athletes during the events. According to Bottson, some standout marathoners will be referred to state coaches and considered for sponsorship to national and private competitions. “Eventually, we plan to expand this initiative into a Jos City Marathon open to other tribes and with greater incentives,” he revealed.

 

BESDA is calling on individuals, businesses, and government stakeholders to support this vision and help promote sports development and youth empowerment across Plateau State.