By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government says it will continue to use sports as a veritable means to develop youths of the state as well as dissuade them from crime and criminality.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the Central Organizing Committee of the Prosperity Cup and the international scouts to Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the Prosperity administration would continue to maintain a conducive environment for young sportsmen and women to progress in their careers, stating that he was pleased with the sustainability of the tournament.
While appreciating the organizers of the tournament for the successes recorded in the competition, the deputy governor remarked that the tournament has come to stay, describing the competition as a powerful vehicle to discover talents at the grassroots.
He called for collaboration between organizers of the Prosperity Cup and the Bayelsa State Sports Academy, Asoama in order to utilize the facility, stressing that the state government was ready to give more refresher courses to local coaches to become better gaffers.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who described Bayelsa as the cradle of hospitality said the government would work in synergy with OTP of Finland to bring the Asoama Academy into reality, pointing out that the Prosperity cup is an enabler in achieving sustainable development goals.
Earlier in his remarks, Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, said the essence of the visit was to officially inform the deputy governor of the ongoing international scouting programme and coaching clinic for local coaches.
According to him, the just-concluded local government finals in the eight local government areas has been the most interesting part of the tournament with the local government chairmen putting their weight behind the competition.
He explained that the Nigeria U:20 coach, Ladan Bosso and the scouts have in the last few days impacted the lives of local coaches positively with contemporary coaching tactics.
Mr Akpe, who thanked Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the Sports Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali, for their support to the tournament, further informed that the round of 32 will kick off this weekend at the designated centers.
Also, two foreign football scouts, Hilary Azado and Glenn Stahl expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Government for giving the youths a platform to realize their potential.
In the meantime, the draws of the female version of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup will hold on Thursday at the Samson Siasia Stadium immediately after the weekly Prosperity walk.
