By Hananeel Jackson
Organizers of the Bayelsa Governor’s cup tagged Prosperity Cup has fixed Sunday April, 10, 2022 as kick off date for the 4th edition of the competition.
Director General of the tournament Mr, Ono Akpe made this known during at a News briefing in Yenagoa ahead of the prestigious grassroots football tournament formerly known as Restoration Cup.
Mr, Akpe noted that the showpiece will be a twelve week event among the various communities, faith based organizations and institutions in Bayelsa state.
He stated that sale of forms has started and would end on March 30bthis year.
He explained that this year’s edition was targeting footballers in the age bracket of twenty one years to catch them young.
The two time Director General of competition opined that after the sale forms to the various teams, presentation of jerseys to participating teams and official draws will take place on the 5th of April with Governor Douye Diri presenting the jerseys and balls to the teams.
While commending the Governor, stakeholders and the Sports writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN for their relentless contributions towards the competition, Mr. Akpe said this year’s edition would witness international scouts from FIFA, calling on the organised private sector to get involved in the development of sports in Bayelsa state .
He explained that two winners will emerge in each local government area while the knockout stage starts from the 14 to 18 of May, 2022 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa with the quarter finals coming up on the 20th to 26 of May and the semi finals scheduled to begin on 26 of May.
In a remark, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, said due to the state’s success story sports in 2021, the government was committed in developing talents that would play for the various cadre of the national teams in the country.
Mr.Igali stressed that the state government hopes to consolidate on the successes recorded in the sports sector last year where Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens emerged Aiteo Cup champions in Benin City, Edo State.
He also highlighted the brilliant display by the State contingent in the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin City where Bayelsa state outperformed thirty four other states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Director of Sports, Bayelsa state Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi said the prosperity cup which started in 2015 was yielding results following the number of talent produced by the tournament.
Sir wodi reminisced that the competition was a discovery ground which has produced the likes Okardi Inikurogha, Gabriel Biriduba, Tarabina Bweribo and Victory Beniangba who is currently plying his trade in the Egyptians league.
In goodwill messages, Chairman Sports writers Association of Nigeria Mr Alambo Datonye and Chairman Bayelsa Football Association Mr Porbeni Ogun lauded Sports writers for their immense contributions towards projecting Bayelsa state and athletes to the world, commending the Director General of the tournament for the laudable initiative over the years.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the trophy to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development by the Director General of the tournament.
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