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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Director General of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged, ‘Prosperity Cup’ Mr. Ono Akpe, has given thumbs up to the winners of Nembe constituency one Football championship.
Mr. Akpe was at Nembe over the weekend to witness the final between Ward three and Ward nine that saw ward three emerging champion 4-2 penalties after a draw in regulation time at the Nembe City stadium, Nembe.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of football displayed by the two finalists, stating that what he witnessed at the final has further shown that Bayelsa is blessed with talents that are capable of representing the country in the future.
He noted that three players from both wards three and nine have been selected to join the Prosperity team, pointing out that the vision of the organizers of the Nembe constituency one tournament aligned with the dreams of the prosperity cup.
The DG hailed sponsors of the tournament Hon. Oteigbanyo George-Braah, the member representing Nembe constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for positively engaging the youths in Nembe.
Mr. Akpe explained that an indigene of Nembe is among the players screened and selected by foreign scouts to travel to Turkey next year, adding that the visa for the player is ready and that more players from the state would benefit from the international scouting programmes.
In the meantime, the director of the Prosperity Cup Mr. Ono Akpe has dedicated his award by the Sports Writers of Nigeria (SWAN) to Governor Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for their foresight in the development of sports in the State.
Mr Akpe in a statement, dedicated the award to the governor and his deputy for their support as well as the recognition accorded sports development in the past four years of the administration.
According to him, the award was a pointer to the Prosperity administration’s commitment to the empowerment of youths and the development of sports in Bayelsa.
The statement appreciates the governor for investing in grassroots football, particularly the prosperity cup, which is now Africa’s biggest grassroots tournament and the inclusion of the female version of the tournament, stating that the future of youths is bright with Senator Diri at helm.
He equally thanked Bayelsa SWAN for the collaboration over the years, describing the partnership as productive, saying the award would spur him and his team to work harder during the next edition.
Dignitaries present at the final, Bayelsa State Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite special adviser to the Governor on SME, commissioner special duties East Hon. Alalibo West, Prince Gabriel Jonah.
Others are Dr. Wisdom Fafi the member representing Kolokuma-Opokuma Constitutuency Two in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon. Werinipre Pamoh,Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1, Hon Golden Jeremiah, chairman Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa state FA chairman Bar. Poubeni Ogun among others.
