Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Ogboinbiri FC have emerged champions of Southern Ijaw in the ongoing Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup local government finals decided at the Oporoma town.
Ogboinbiri FC beat Adulama FC 2-0 at Oporoma town to lift the trophy. A goal in each half from Okon Godbless on 24 minute and Daniel Bekowei on 69 minutes gave Ogboinbiri FC the deserved victory.
The final which witnessed electrifying football and organic atmosphere was watched by the chairman of Southern Ijaw local government Hon.Target Segibo, vice chairperson, supervisory councilors, political appointees and dignitaries.
Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Hon.Target Segibo in a remark, who described football as the biggest unifier said he was satisfied with the performance of both sides particularly the champions.
He announced a cash prize of four hundred thousand naira, (#400.000.00) to the winners and hundred thousand naira #100,000.00 for the runner up, stating that the quality of football displayed in the final was a testament of the bundle of talents in the State.
Hon Segibo commended the governor Douye Diri for conceiving the vision to engage the youths in the State positively through sports, urging the three teams that qualified to the round of 32 in Southern Ijaw to give the good representation.
Commissioner for Sports Development Hon. Daniel Igali, represented by the Assistant Director Human Resources Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere, noted that one of the cardinal objectives of the prosperity administration was to pull the youths out of social vices and drug abuse.
According to him, the governor is deliberate and passionate about the development of sports as well as creating a means of livelihood through the Prosperity Cup with the introduction of the foreign scouting program slated at the of this month.
Also, Deputy Director General of the tournament Mr Emmanuel Appah, remarked that the essence of the competition was to give young Bayelsans a career in football, saying that the local final has so far received an unprecedented turn out in various LGA’s.
He thanked the council boss for ensuring that Southern Ijaw local government witnesses a colourful final in the Prosperity Cup, urging players selected to make use of the scouting program which comes up from June 30th to the 1st of July, 2024 at the Samson Siasia.
Tournament Director, Mr Perela Aboroson appreciated the people of Oporoma town and the Southern Ijaw Local Government chairman for the warm reception and the hospitality.
Organisers of the Prosperity Cup presented a plaque and one hundred thousand naira (#100,000.00) to Ogboinbiri FC, a plaque and fifty thousand naira (#50,000.00) to runner up Adulama FC and also an award to the chairman of Southern Ijaw Hon.Target Segibo for support towards the development of sports in the State.
