Bayelsa State says it will give Bayelsa Queens every necessary support to ensure that the club becomes the first team in Nigeria to lift the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance at a get-together with players, coaches, and management of the team after their heroic performance in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) in Ikenne, Ogun State.
He noted that he was pleased with the team’s show of dexterity throughout the regular season that saw them unbeaten till their triumph at the Super Six, maintaining that their victory was a result of their determination and hard work.
Ewhrudjakpo assured the team that the state government would do everything possible to ensure that the girls conquer Africa, having won the WAFU Zone B trophy in Cote d’Ivoire in 2022, and urged them not to rest on their oars.
While congratulating the team for their brilliant outing throughout the season, the deputy governor opined that the last two editions of the competition were an affirmation that Bayelsa Queens are the best team in the nation.
The Governor Douye Diri administration, he said, remains committed to using sports as a tool to check crime and criminality and will continue to invest in sports development to empower the youths.
He directed the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali to institutionalize the best player award for both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens at the end of every season, saying that the initiative would spur the players to give their very best.
Ewhrudjakpo announced a cash reward of N100,000 to the Most Valuable Player of the season, Dooshima Tarnum, while Alaba Olabiyi received the best attacker award with N50,000.
Jennifer Oliver got the best defender, Monle Omini best goalkeeper, Vera Samuel smiled home with the best teammate award, and Arit Itu, as the funniest teammate, all receiving N50,000 each.
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“I want to commend you for your determination and dominance. No doubt, when people match their determination with effort, it translates to success. That is what you have shown.
“If you don’t come home as CAF Women’s champions, it’s because you don’t want to come back with it, because there’s nothing there that would make you not come back home with it. So put on your fighting spirit, tenacity, and determination to achieve it,” the deputy governor charged the players.
The state Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, in thanking the deputy governor for honouring Bayelsa Queens, equally lauded the girls for the victory, urging them to be focused and be worthy ambassadors of the country.
Also, the Chairman of Bayelsa Queens, Robin Apreala, assured Bayelsans that the ‘Prosperity Girls’ will give a good representation in the CAF Women’s Champions League, adding that preparation for the WAFU Zone B has already commenced.
