Stakeholders Applaud Governor Diri’s Passion for Sports
***Salutes Approval of New Stadium in Bayelsa.***
Stakeholders in the sports sector have given thumbs up to the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for organizing the pre-season football tourney in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Top Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL are expected to be in Yenagoa for the pre season tourney from the 11th, through the 18th of August, 2024, at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Eight teams, including the pride of Rivers, Rivers United, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors, host Bayelsa United and 2023 Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament champions, Krusaders Feeders FC of Yenagoa will do battle.
Speaking ahead of the tournament,
Director General of the Prosperity Cup and also Chairman of the Pre-season tournament, Mr. Ono K. Akpe appreciated Governor Douye Diri and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as well as the Olympic and World Champion, Dr Daniel Igali who is the Commissioner for Sports Development, for investing in the development of the youths of the state, stating that bringing the pre-season event to Bayelsa is indicative of the governor’s unwavering love for sports.
Mr. Akpe equally applauded the governor for approving the construction of a new stadium facility in Bayelsa State, which would bring more national and international sporting events to Bayelsa.
On his part, the vice chairman of the organizing committee, Mr. Perela Aboroson, says, the tournament will showcase flashes of what to expect from the teams in the coming season.
He commended the sports loving disposition of the prosperity administration, under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri, noting that, sports in the last few years, has given Bayelsa a positive reputation and publicity in the comity states in the country.
According to him, the pre-season tournament would boost the economy of the state, as the revenue of hotels and other local businesses would receive extra income.
It will also serve as a platform to put the “Prosperity Boys” and the other participating teams in a better competitive shape prior to the commencement of the new football season, Mr. Aborosson remarked.
He added that, the tournament is not a must win competition, but an avenue for the various coaches to test their players to know their weaknesses and strengths, as well as mould them into dependable and winning units.
He appreciated Douye Diri for accepting to host the pre season tournament, only a few weeks after the end of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
In his own reaction, zonal vice president of the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Mr. Kali Gwegwe noted that the regular staging of competitions also helps in crime reduction and promotes peace within the state and its environs.
Mr. Gwegwe, who described Bayelsa as an emerging sporting destination, stated that the tournament would enable the coaches to know their preferred line-ups, as they intensify preparations for the coming season.
Veteran sports journalist, Mr. Mablas Akpuluma Jnr opined that the pre season tournament was an opportunity for Bayelsa United to showcase to their teeming fans what they should expect from the team.
