Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa United Football Club on Sunday defeated Bendel Insurance FC 7-6 after penalty kicks to win Gov. Douye Diri maiden Pre-Season Football Tournament in Yenagoa.
The tournament’s final match decided at the Samson Siasia stadium ended 1-1 after regulation time before the Yenagoa-based Bayelsa United won 7-6 in penalty kicks shootout.
Loveday Saro put Bayelsa United in front on 28 minute from Samuel Okon’s beautiful cross as he scored to send the jubilant Bayelsa United fans to celebration.
Bendel Insurance responded immediately from Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi who meandered his way inside the danger zone to find the back of the net for the Benin Arsenals.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration is not worried about the resources being allocated for the development of sports in the state.
He emphasized that sports and education would remain focal areas in his prosperity administration because the two sectors have the capacity to take youths away from drugs, criminality and other social vices that are capable of destroying their lives.
Governor Diri, who described Bayelsa as the Mecca of sports in Nigeria, said he was elated to hear that ten players who took part in the Prosperity Cup would be leaving Nigeria to earn a living through sports, describing the pre-season tournament as a laudable initiative.
He informed that the government was working round the clock to host a similar tournament for Bayelsa Queens to put the girls in shape before the commencement of the Nigeria Women Premier Football League (NWFL) later this year,
Expressing satisfaction over the success recorded in the competition, he also promised to make the Douye Diri Pre-season tournament an annual competition to prepare Bayelsa United ahead of every season.
Governor Diri congratulated the champions, Bayelsa United, their Coach, Ladan Bosso, and all the participating teams for their show of dexterity and professionalism throughout the tournament, and urged them to build on their achievements so far.
His words: “I want to thank the organizers, particularly the ministry of sports development, for initiating this tournament to fine-tune our teams for the new season. I am very sure that this tournament will help our team, Bayelsa United.
“Some people have criticized us for spending so much in sports. But we cannot be deterred. Rather, we are determined to do more in the area of sports and education.
“You can see with us that the other option is criminality and crime. That is why we will continue to invest in sports .and education in order to take away our youths away from drug abuse and other crimes.”
In a remark, Chairman Central Organizing Committee, Mr. Ono Akpe, said he is confident that Bayelsa United would have a productive season in the NPFL, noting that the essence of the tournament has been achieved.
He explained that apart from preparing Bayelsa United for the new season, the competition has also exposed more local players to some NPFL teams, adding that some of them would be traveling to Turkey and Finland in the coming days.
Mr. Akpe, who described Bayelsa as the home of grassroots football, appreciated Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for giving sports premium attention.
He thanked the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali and the Local Organizing Committee for translating the vision of the governor.
Earlier in the third place match, Akwa United defeat Kwara United 4-2 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time.
The winners Bayelsa United, coached by Ladan Bosso were awarded a trophy and cheque of N1.5 million naira while beaten finalists Bendel insurance got a cheque of N1,000,000 naira while third place price goes to Akwa United football club.
