Sports Minister Hails Gov Diri’s Passion for Sports Development
By Eunice Nnachi
Ogboinbiri FC of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area have emerged champions of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the “Prosperity Cup”.
The oil rich Ogboinbiri side humbled Nembe City FC 3-0 to lift the sixth edition of the tournament that was watched by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, President of Nigeria Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Daniel Bekewei put the Ogboinbiri side ahead on 22 minute from Bekewei Iladei’s beautiful cross as he dribbled pass Nembe City defence line to set up Iladei’s chance. Bekewei Iladei doubled the lead for Ogboinbiri FC on 29 minute from a defensive blunder by the Nembe side as he sent Ogboinbiri fans into a rapturous celebration.
Bekewei Iladei on resumption compounded the woes of the Nembe City FC to make it 3-0 from a solo move as he slotted in the ball at the back of the net to give victory to the Southern Ijaw side.
Earlier in the women’s final, Niger Delta University Queens beat high scoring Peremo Soccer Academy 1-0 to lift the women’s trophy. Osiga Gloria’s goal 2 minute into the game gave the Amassoma side the victory.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh in a remark said since his appointment as sports minister, governor Douye Diri remains one of the governors in Nigeria who have continued to give premium attention to the sports ministry, saying that he rescheduled his trip to Germany just to be in Yenagoa for the finals.
Senator Enoh noted that the Prosperity Cup resonates with the policies and program of the ministry of sports development of taking grassroots sports to another level, describing the grassroots as the future of Nigeria sports.
He commended the governor for sustaining the tournament, urging the next administration to continue with the competition that has become a launch pad to the development of youths in the state, maintaining that he was impressed with the quality of football exhibited by the players.
Governor Douye Diri in an address noted that his administration would continue to create enabling environment for sports to thrive, describing sports as a huge investment, and called on the youths in the state to be focused and not be distracted.
According to him, the crime rate in the state has reduced drastically as a result of the tournament that has continued to be the vehicle that has engaged the youths positively, stressing that he was pleased with the progress of the tournament after six editions.
The state’s helmsman noted that the introduction of the women’s tournament would helped to consolidate on the achievements recorded by Bayelsa Queens, saying that the prize money of the women’s tournament would improve in the next edition to further encourage women’s football.
While congratulating both winners and all the participating teams for the show of dexterity throughout the game, the governor commended the tournament organizers for their thoroughness and commitment throughout the competition.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau also praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for his “outstanding contributions” to the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali in a welcome address appreciated the governor for ensuring that the tournament gets to the sixth edition, explaining that the competition in the last few years has engaged over ten thousand youths across the state.
Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe in an interview, asserted that he was elated with the massive turn out of fans, adding that this year’s competition has impacted referees and coaches positively.
Champions Ogboinbiri FC smiled home with a sum of five million naira (5,000,000.00), runner up Nembe City got two point five million naira (2,500,000.00), third place Bayelsa United Feeders received one point five million naira (1,5000,000.00), 3rd runner up Kongho FC got one million naira (1,000,000.00) while quarter finalists were rewarded with two hundred and fifty thousand naira (250,000.00) each.
The women’s champions, NDU Queens received one million naira (1,000,000.00) second place Peremo Soccer Academy, seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (750,000.00), third place Afini Ladies went home with three hundred and fifty thousand naira (350,000.00) quarter finalists received one hundred thousand naira (100,000.00) each.
Para Soccer champions, Leave Am For Me FC got six hundred and fifty thousand naira (650,000.00), second place Hon Igali FC received three hundred and fifty thousand naira (350,000.00) amounting to a total of fifty million naira (50,000,000.00).
Ogboinbiri FC goalkeeper Nigeria Godgift won the best player of the tournament, Bekewei lladei emerged the top scorer of the tournament with seven goals as well as the most valuable player of the competition while Anderson Blessing of NDU Queens was crowned with the golden shoe of the tournament.
Dignitaries present are Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki represented by the chairman Edo Sports Commission, Hon. Yussuf Alli, Managing Director Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, Members of the State House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, former senators, permanent secretaries among other.
