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By Mineh Okioma, Yenagoa
Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has called for a proper selection of talented young players from the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, so as to infuse them in developmental programs that would ensure they become national team players in the coming years.
The minister came out with this on Sunday, at the grand finale of the third edition of the Restoration Cup, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, in Yenagoa.
Mr Dare, who lauded the Bayelsa State Government for organizing the football competition, which he described as the biggest in the entire country, due to the number of teams that took part in it, praised the new facilities installed in the stadium.
The minister said, “the facilities installed here is in line with the vision of the ministry, which is providing the athletes with top training and adequate facilities, as well as welfare and moral support, and most importantly, repositioning the sports sector for greater productivity.”
Governor Seriake Dickson, on his part, stressed that the Restoration Cup and the Governor Seriake Dickson National Wrestling Classics will continue even after he leaves office on February 14, adding that the newly installed tartan tracks, the score board, and flood lights, were all geared towards ensuring the sport complex was well equipped for the benefit of athletes in the state.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, said the state is ranked among the top five, and with the new facilities, Bayelsa athletes will aim higher, and compete favourably against their counterparts across the country in both national and regional competition. He equally commended the governor for creating an environment for sports to thrive, particularly on the national wrestling classics, which has given birth to 67 individual champions in the state.
At the finals of the Restoration Cup, Okolobiri community, emerged winners of the third edition of the competition, defeating Ekeremor community 4-2 on penalties, after playing a one-all draw at regulation time.
Bulky striker, Solomon Foluwa of Ekeremor FC, drew first blood in the 36th minute, after waving off three defenders to slot home from close range, but their joy didn’t last long as a low cross from the right flank found its way into the danger area, and while the defense line failed to clear the ball, goal poacher, Stephen Isaiah of Okolobiri FC, tapped it in for the equaliser two minutes later.
Both sides continued on their quest to seal the win, and wasted several chances in the game, and the shootout had to separate both sides, with Ekeremor FC losing two spot kicks and scoring two, while Okolobiri put four past goal keeper, Ego Weky.
In the third place match played earlier, champions of the second edition, Peretorugbene Community, finished as second runner up, after finding the back of the net five times, against Nembe City FC.
Midfield maestro, Tekena Bilado scored a brace in the first half, before Christopher Junior’s chip, Saro Loveday’s strike, and Fini George’s beautiful volley deep into stoppage time, completed the five-nil routing of Nembe City.
Director General of the Restoration Cup, Ono Akpe, while giving details of the tournament, thanked the governor for giving Bayelsa youths an opportunity to showcase themselves through the competition.
Winners, Okolobiri community were presented with a cheque of #2.5m, Ekeremor FC were giving #1.5m cheque, while a #1m cheque was presented to the third best team, Peretorugbene.
Highlight of the grand finale was a 100m race by Governor Seriake Dickson, Sports minister, Sunday Dare, Queen of the track, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Sports commissioner, Daniel Igali, and former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia.