Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The organisers of Gov.Douye Diri Pre Season Football Tournament have announced August 12, 2024 as the kick off date with Seven topflight Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL teams and a non league side Krusaders selected to participate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.
Mr. Ono Akpe, Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee of the tournament, noted that the vision of the Governor was aimed at strengthening Bayelsa United squad before the commencement of the season, pointing out that the primary reason for the tournament was to avoid the repeat of last season in the league.
He disclosed this at a press conference held in Yenagoa ahead of the tournament.
According to him, all the participating teams in the tourney have written to officially confirm their readiness to feature in the tournament, maintaining that the tournament’s initial plan was for six teams but the governor made it open to eight teams, so as to accommodate the Prosperity Cup team.
Clearing the air on why Krusaders Feeders FC was included rather than the 2024 Prosperity Cup champions m, Ogboinbiri FC, the DG explained that the team is an assemblage of players from Ogboinbiri FC, Krusaders Feeders FC, and other exceptional players who were selected at this year’s governor’s cup, adding that Krusaders Feeders FC was just a mere nomenclature.
He appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for investing in the development of sports.
Vice Chairman, Central Organizing Committee and Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboroson, said the tournament would be played in two groups “A” and “B” with teams expected to arrive on the 11th of August while the tournament proper will commence on Monday 12th through the 18th of August, 2024.
He explained that the tournament will have fourteen matches with the winner of each group emerging finalists while the first runner up will play in the third place match. He said there will be four games in each day and a resting day will be observed on Tuesday, while Wednesday will witness another round of matches.
Mr. Aboroson asserted that the final and the third place matches of the tourney will come up on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Stadium, stating that all the visiting teams would receive five hundred thousand naira (#500.000.00) as appearance fee as well as free accommodation.
In his remarks, commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali represented by Assistant Director Human Resource Management Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere remarked that the essence of the tournament was to give Bayelsa United the opportunity to test their players before the NPFL kick off date.
Mr. Ede-Alakere pointed out that apart from giving the NPFL teams a platform to know their strength and weakness, it is also an avenue to market players who took part in the just concluded prosperity cup in order for them to be captured by some league side.
In an interview, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Mr. Ebi Avi welcomed the idea of the government to organize another national event months after hosting the Nigeria Women Premier Football League Super Six, stressing that the tourney would create an opportunity to expose more Bayelsa youths.
The governor, Douye Diri pre season tourney is sponsored by the Ministry of Sports Development and the Bayelsa State Football Association, in collaboration with the Prosperity Cup organizers and Red Sapphire, a sports management consultant.
