By- Alambo Datonye
Director General of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe has given plaudits to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its investment in sports Development in the country.
Mr. Akpe, driver of the vision of the biggest grassroots football competition in Africa, who spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing 2nd Niger Delta Games at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, said the funding provided by the Commission had immensely triggered a sports revolution in the region and the nation at large.
‘What we saw in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State during the 1st edition of the Niger Delta Games and what we are seeing in the second edition in Benin City, shows that there is a deliberate and structured attempt to develop sports in the Niger Delta and in the country. We must therefore commend the NDDC for this, especially the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Chairman and the entire Board for this massive support for sports. Yes, it is enough to build bridges, roads, airports, but if you don’t develop human capacity, then you leave a huge lacuna in society’, he enthused.
Mr. Akpe, who is a member of the Main Organising Committee for the Niger Delta Games, urged other States, the organized private sector and other organisations to take a cue from Bayelsa to support the NDDC’s efforts, noting that investment in sports creates employment for citizens, take the youths off the streets, crimes and social vices and make the society a safer place for everyone.
He also gave kudos to the project initiators and organisers of the Niger Delta Games, Dunamis Icon for the vision of introducing the first ever regional sports festival in the country.
‘Let me also give thumbs up to the vision bearer, Sir Itiako Malik Ikpokpo for initiating this. May God strengthen him and his team and give him the wisdom to take these Games to greater heights. With this, we have seen that local talent could transform any project. With these two editions, they have taken sports development and management to another level. It is not easy coordinating nine States and bringing them to one location, equipping, kitting, accommodating, feeding and funding them. This is really massive and I want to encourage them to do more’, the DG stated.
The Director General said organisers of the Prosperity Cup were in serious discussion with the NDDC, expressing the hope that the talks would bear fruits soonest, especially with the international brand, FC Barcelona coming into the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament as International Technical Advisers.
Mr. Akpe who said with such brand and the NDDC coming in, sports and football development in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta would get to a different pedestal by increasing professional level of coaching, scouting, talent identification and promotion, as well as exposing young footballers to better professional contracts in the major leagues in Europe and other parts of the world.
He thanked key partners such as Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Binad Waters and recently, the Nigerian Customs Service through the Comptroller General of Customs, who is also the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and has encouraged the Prosperity Cup just as he called on others to take a cue and support the tournament.
