……..As Governor Diri Woos Oil Firms On Sports Development in the State.
Coaches of participating teams in the Bayelsa State Governor’s Cup tagged Prosperity Cup have hailed the organisers of the biggest grassroots tournament for the smooth organization.
Enterprising Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM Fc of Yenagoa beat seasiders, Odioma FC of Brass 2-1 in a keenly contested final decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa.
Two late goals from Onyema Ben on 75 minutes and Steven Harry on 77 minutes canceled Odioma Fc’s Ayebadipreye Kumolayefa early goal as the prayer warriors cruised home with five million naira.
Earlier in the day, Agbere Fc Sagbama beat Anyama Fc of Ogbia 3-2 in the losers’ final to finish third in the tournament as Anyama Fc went home with five hundred thousand naira.
In separate interviews shortly after the final, coaches of EGM Fc, Odioma FC, Agbere Fc and Anyama Fc commended the organizers and the state government for bringing youths together during the tournament.
Victorious coach of EGM Fc Micheal Felix said he was elated to lift the Prosperity Cup because they have worked hard in the last five years to get to this level, stating that the substitutes he made in the second half turned the game around in their favor .
He commended governor Douye Diri for the event noting that the competition has engaged the youths meaningfully by exposing the players to foreign scouts.
Despite the defeat,Odioma Fc head coach, Daniel Solomon said he was not disappointed by the loss but attributed the defeat to a wrong substitution made.
The Coach noted that playing in the final of the Prosperity Cup was a plus for his lads having dominated Twon Brass centre in the preliminary round of the competition.
Agbere Fc coach, Ebi Amula remarked that finishing third in the tournament which had over 200 teams has given Agbere community and Sagbama local government good publicity, explaining that his experience as a veteran in the game played a crucial role in his team’s progress.
He appreciated the prosperity administration for giving premium attention to sports as well as using sports to combat socal vices among youths in Bayelsa.
Anyama Fc’s tactician, Ebiosuodo Appah said this year’s prosperity cup has given his players exposure that would have been difficult to get, commending the organizers for being transparent and supportive throughout the tournament.
He vowed that Anyama Fc would come out smoking next year by winning the tournament, having gone this far this year.
Declaring the tournament closed an elated Bayelsa State governor senator Douye Diri called on multinational oil companies and the organized private sector to invest in sports and not to leave it for government alone.
The state helmsman noted that with the stars he has seen in the tournament it was indicative that there are talents in rural areas, describing Bayelsa as the center of sports in Nigeria.
While appreciating the sponsors of the 206 teams that took part in the showpiece the governor called on youths in the State to discover their talents and shun drug abuse reiterating the government support for sports.
In attendance were the deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, wife of the governor Mrs Gloria Diri, Member representing Ogbia Federal constituency in House of Representatives Hon.Fred Obua, speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt Hon. Abraham Igonbere, members of the state house of Assembly.
Others are members of the Bayelsa executive council,LGA Chairmen, Chairman Civil Service commission and member, CAF medical Committee, Dr Peter Singabele, NFF representatives, State chairman People’s Democratic Party Solomon Agwanana, Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, amongst other stakeholders
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