Stakeholders Laud Governor Diri’s Passion For Sports

• Salute Approval Of New Stadium In Bayelsa

Stakeholders in the sports sector applauded Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri for organising the pre-season football tournament in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Top The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, is expected to visit Yenagoa for the pre-season tournament from August 11th to August 18th, 2024, at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

Eight teams will compete, including Rivers United, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors, Bayelsa United, and Krusaders Feeders FC of Yenagoa, champions of the 2023 Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament.

Speaking before the tournament,
Mr. Ono Akpe, Director General of the Prosperity Cup and Chairman of the Pre-season Tournament, praised Senator Douye Diri and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for investing in the development of the state’s youths, saying that bringing the pre-season event to Bayelsa demonstrates the governor’s unwavering love for sports.

Mr. Akpe also praised the governor for approving the construction of a new stadium facility in Bayelsa state.

Mr. Perela Aboroson, vice chairman of the organising committee, says the tournament will provide glimpses of what to expect from the teams in the upcoming season.
He praised the prosperity administration, led by Governor Douye Diri, for its sports-friendly attitude, noting that sports have given Bayelsa a positive reputation and publicity in neighbouring states in recent years.

He believes that the pre-season tournament will benefit the state’s economy by increasing revenue for hotels and other local businesses.

It will also serve as a platform to get the “Prosperity Boys” and the other participating teams in better competitive shape before the start of the new football season, Mr. Aborosson said.

He added that the tournament is not a must-win competition, but rather an opportunity for the various coaches to put their players to the test, learn about their weaknesses and strengths, and shape them into dependable and winning teams.

He praised Douye Diri for agreeing to host the preseason tournament just a few weeks after Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Prosperity Cup, concluded.

Mr. Kali Gwegwe, zonal vice president of the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, responded by stating that regular competitions help to reduce crime and promote peace in the state and surrounding areas.

Mr. Gwegwe, who described Bayelsa as an emerging sporting destination, stated that the tournament would allow coaches to determine their preferred line-ups as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Mr. Mablas Akpuluma Jnr, a veteran sports journalist, believes that the pre-season tournament provided an opportunity for Bayelsa United to showcase to their adoring fans what they can expect from the team.