Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The maiden Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament is billed to start on Monday, August 12th, 2024 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
The draws of the competition which held on Sunday, 11 August indicate the group pairing as in Group A, Bayelsa United of Yenagoa, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Akwa United of Uyo, and Abia Warriors of Umuahia will lock horns, while Krusaders Selected FC of Bayelsa, Bendel Insurance of Benin, Rivers United of Port Harcourt, and Kwara United will trade tackle for the top spot in Group B.
From the draws as released by the organizers, Krusaders Selected FC will file out against Bendel Insurance in the first match on Monday at 8:30am, while Rivers United will lock horns with Kwara United in the morning session, as Bayelsa United battle Sunshine Stars of Akure, and Akwa United of Uyo will clash with Abia Warriors in the afternoon session at 2pm.
It will be the turn of Abia Warriors to engage Bayelsa United on Wednesday, August 14, at 8:30am, as Sunshine Stars brace up against Akwa United at 10:30am, while in the afternoon session, Kwara United will welcome Krusaders Selected at 2pm. Other feature billed for the day include Insurance of Benin against Rivers United i at 4pm.
The games on Friday 16th August will see Abia Warriors lock horns with Sunshine Stars at 8:30am and Akwa United trade tackles with Bayelsa United at 10:30am in Group A, as Kwara United faces Bendel Insurance at 2pm while at 4pm, Rivers United hosts Krusaders Selected in Group B in the afternoon session.
First runner up in both Groups will battle for the third place match, while winners of both groups will lock horns at the finals slated for Sunday, 18th August, 2024.
The organisers announced Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as rest days for all participating teams.
Sequel to the draws, Vice Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee, Mr Perela Aboroson, said of the eight teams participating in the Pre-season tournament, two are from Bayelsa State, and both teams will b splitted among the groups, as he assured that the draws will be conducted without any form of bias or sentiments.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, in his remarks commended the participating teams for their readiness to partake at the maiden Governor Douye Diri Pre-season football competition, reiterating that a lot of positives will emanate from it, among which is bonding of the teams, as well as the opportunity to scout for players ahead of the forthcoming NPFL season.
Mr Akpe also announced the prize monies for the competition, #1.5m for the first prize, #1m for the second prize and #500 thousand for the third prize, while #500,000 will be given to all teams as appearance fee.
Speaking after the draws and the pre-match briefing, Coordinator of Abia Warriors, Mr John Kalu, commended the Bayelsa State Government for putting up the Pre-season tournament, expressing their hopes to tap from its benefits.
On his part, Media Officer of Akwa United, Mfon Patrick, also gave thumbs up to the organizers of the Pre-season tournament for their proper coordination of the teams.
Present at the draws and pre-match briefing were Mukaila Olaniyi – Kwara United Coach, Obamwanyi Uyo – Assistant Secretary, Bendel Insurance, Mfon Patrick – Media Manager, Akwa United, Ada Gwegwe – Coach of Krusaders Selected, and Odogu Ken Ekpolaemi – Secretary, Bayelsa United.
