...Says Bayelsa is now the home of grassroots football

Director General of the Bayelsa State Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, has hailed Governor Douye Diri’s continued love and support for sports development in the state.

Mr Akpe showered the priases while speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital, shortly after the semi-final cracker between Crusaders Feeders FC and Agbere FC of Sagbama. He said the nation should expect a spectacular grassroots football final.

He noted that the two finalists, De Grace FC of Yenagoa and Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretorugbene scintillating performances in the competition has proven that Bayelsa is blessed with talents, stating that both sides are teams that are used to the big stage.

Mr Akpe commended the tenacity and the determination of the 214 registered teams in the tournament, stressing that Bayelsa in the last one month has become Nigeria’s centre of attention due to the competition.

The Prosperity Cup Director General lauded Governor Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, alongside the Commissioner of Sports, Daniel Igali, for giving youths in the state a veritable platform to harness their potential describing Bayelsa as the home of grassroots football in Nigeria.

He hinted that the grand finale of the spectacle will witness the crème de la crème of Nigeria football including Augustine Eguavoen, NFF Technical Director, Enyimba Technical Adviser, Finidi George, and U-20 Coach Ladan Bosso to assess the talents produced during the tournament.

Presently, a three-day screening trials is ongoing coordinated by National Team Coach Kennedy Boboye and Coach Imama Amamapakabor, who are in Yenagoa to screen over 100 selected players from the Tournament

The final of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament will come up on July 30, 2023, at the Samson Siasia Stadium with Governor Douye Diri alongside other government functionaries expected to declare the showpiece closed.

Dignitaries present at the semi-final included Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Chief Daniel Igali, Special Guest, State Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Ofem Arikpo, who took the official kick-off, Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mr Perekiye Buruboyefe, former House of Representatives member Warman Weri Ogoriba.

Others are Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Mr Laye Julius, Chairman of Bayelsa United Ebiki Timitimi, Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United Diepreye Teibowei and other stakeholders.

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