•Hail organizers for introducing Female Tournament

The Central Organizing Committee of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup on Thursday continued the presentation of branded jerseys to some stakeholders ahead of the kick-off of Season 6 of the tournament.

The presentation Is coming a week after the organizers led by Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, presented branded jerseys and trophies to the Governor, Senator Douye Diri to herald this year’s edition. The branded jerseys for Season 6 of the tournament was presented to the Head of Service, Barr (Mrs) Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa and the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi during the weekly keep fit exercise, the Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Also present we’re other members of the Central Organizing Committee, the DDG Operations and Tournament Director, Mr Perela Aboro, DDG Corporate Affairs, Deacon Zuobomowei Appah, Head of Marketing, Mrs Chi-Chi Umeseaka, Director of Finance and Administration, Martins Diegbegha, Sports Ministry Rep, Mike Ede-Alakiri.

The showpiece Is expected to kick off next month with about two hundred teams preparing for the tournament that has continued to receive both local and international attention.Speaking to newsmen shortly after the presentation, Head of Service, Barr Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, said the inclusion of female teams in the Tournament would go a long way in producing female players that would feature for Bayelsa Queens and the various female national teams in the country.

She noted that the female edition would help to discover more female players and teams in the state, stating that the tournament would positively steer the minds of the youths and as well prevent them from social vices and crime related issues. The Head of Service appreciated the Governor, Senator Douye Diri and the organizers for their foresight towards the development of sports in Bayelsa State describing it as laudable.

Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, also noted that the female tournament is capable of engaging the minds of the girl child in order not to get involved in social vices, drug abuse and unwanted pregnancy, stating that it is a thing of joy that the female version is continuing after the first edition last year.

Sir Wodi who was the pioneer Technical Director of the Tournament, explained that the female tournament would serve as a veritable platform for local players in the state to be exposed to the world, pointing out that the tournament is a launch pad that would bring more Bayelsa female players to limelight.

He asserted that statistics have shown that during the Tournament there was always a zero crime rate in Yenagoa and other parts of the State because all the youths are engaged, noting that the statistics speaks volumes on the acceptance of the Tournament and the governor’s dream towards giving the youths a living through sports.

The former Tournament Technical Director, opined that the introduction of foreign scouts during and after the program has helped many Bayelsa youths to travel abroad for greener pastures, adding that a handful of players who participated in the tournament are now playing for international clubs.

The Permanent Secretary Mrs Gloria Alagoa had earlier promised that this year the Tournament will surpass the expectations of many. With a total prize money of fifteen million naira and increasing awareness of the Tournament across the globe Season 6 promises to take grassroots football to another level altogether. A top prize of five million for men, three million for the female and five hundred thousand for para soccer and inclusion of amateur players has the added advantage of making teams give their very best. Reports indicate the teams are bursting with anticipation on the very first kick of the ball with their eyes firmly fixed on the very last kick to glory.

•Prosperity Cup DG Ono Akpe presenting branded jersey to Mayelsa Head of Service, Barr (Mrs) Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama

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