… Council Boss Commends Organizers on ‘Improved Tournament’
By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) FC has been crowned champions of the Yenagoa Local Government Area finals in the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
BMU FC joins Movers FC of Otuasega, Ogboinbiri FC, Agbere FC, Krusaders Feeders FC, Odi United, Kongho United and Nembe City who won their respective local government final after a week of electrifying grassroots football.
BMU FC beat Afini FC 2-1 to clinch the trophy in the Yenagoa local government final decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium in an encounter watched by the chairman of Yenagoa LGA, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, vice chairperson, supervisory councilors, political appointees and top government functionaries.
Japhet Freedom put BMU FC ahead on 37 minute from a close range header having dominated the proceedings. Afini FC responded immediately in an exhilarating fashion from Adela Oyimesini’s 39 minute beautiful finish.
Afini FC who took full control of the game on resumption went to sleep as Agono Zilary capitalized on a defensive blunder on 62 minute to double the lead for the free scoring BMU FC side.
Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, in a remark noted that there has been a huge improvement of the tournament compared to previous editions, describing this year’s spectacle as wonderful, stating that the tournament has brought peace and unity amongst communities in the state.
Hon. Ndiwari hailed the director general of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, and his team for the smooth organization so far in the tournament, pointing out that he was impressed with the massive turn out of fans in the various local government finals.
The council boss announced a cash reward of three hundred thousand naira (#300,000.00) to champions BMU FC while the second runner up, Afini FC got one hundred and fifty thousand naira (#150,000.00), urging all the teams in Yenagoa LGA who have qualified to round of 32 to put up a good fight.
He promised a cash reward of one million naira (#1,000,000) to any team from Yenagoa local government that will emerge champions in the season six of the Prosperity Cup, calling on the youths in the State to make use of the platform.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali represented by the Assistant Director Human Resources Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere, charged all the players selected for the scouting exercise to make use of the opportunity.
The commissioner thanked the various local government chairmen for their involvement in the tournament, noting that this year’s edition has brought football closer to the people at the grassroots particularly the introduction of the LGA finals.
Chairman, Board of Trustee Prosperity Cup and South South Zonal Secretary People’s Democratic Party, Prof. Felix Omemo thanked the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the tournament for initiating the LGA finals.
Also, Deputy Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah said that the scouting exercise slated for the end of this month would provide another opportunity for Bayelsa youths to showcase their talents to the world.
He appreciated the Yenagoa local government chairman, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari for the unflinching support towards hosting a successful final in Yenagoa LGA, pointing out that the essence of the scouting program was to market Bayelsa players to the world.
Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboroson lauded both teams for the show of professionalism throughout the game, maintaining that he is optimistic of seeing Bayelsa players in Europe.
Organisers of the tournament presented a plaque and one hundred thousand naira (#100,000.00) to BMU FC, a plaque and one hundred and fifty thousand naira (#50,000.00) to runner up Afini FC and also an award to the chairman of Yenagoa Local Government, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari for the endless support towards the development of sports in Bayelsa.
