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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Foreign scouts from Finland, Lithuania, Malta, Turkey and Norway have hailed the Bayelsa State Government for its commitment to the discovery and development of budding football talents across the state.
The scouts made the commendation, while exchanging views with sports writers at the end of the 6th Governor Douye Diri international scouting program in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Leader of the international scouts, Azodo Hillary, said the international scouting exercise was yielding positive results with the encouraging number of players who are on the verge of traveling out the country for greener pastures, stating that Bayelsa is blessed with abundant talents that are capable of representing the nation.
According to him, the number of players jetting out for trials with European teams testifies to the credibility of the exercise over the years, pointing out that the players have received their invitations along with their Visas for the January transfer window.
He explained that the players would have traveled in the summer transfer window, but the window had already closed before they arrived.
The former Enugu Rangers player, appreciated Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali and Prosperity Cup DG, Mr. Ono Akpe for creating the platform for the youths in the state to express their talents.
Also speaking Kelvin Etemike a FIFA agent and CEO Sports Management Agency as well as Sporting Director Sakaryarspor and Uyammis Hakan, Agent and CEO and Sporting Director Sakaryarspor all in Turkey, noted that Bayelsa State was blessed with abundant talents, maintaining that they are pleased with the scouting program.
The duo commended the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the Prosperity Cup for the initiative to catch them young, noting that the policy is capable of producing the next generation of footballers in the state and the country.
On his part, Naujot Singh of X-One Agency of Norway, who described Bayelsa as the best in the nation in terms of discovering and nurturing talents, also hailed the players for their show of dexterity, commitment and dedication throughout the exercise.
Earlier, Director General of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe noted that he feels fulfilled seeing products of the Prosperity Cup travel abroad to showcase their talents, stressing that sports remains a vehicle and a tool to take away the youths off the street.
Mr. Akpe asserted that the success recorded in the international scouting exercise and the prosperity cup was incomplete without Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as well as the commissioner for Sports Development Dr Daniel Igali for giving sports the premium attention it currently enjoys in the State
