By Aherhoke Okioma, Yenagoa
Organisers of the Bayelsa State Governor’s Cup, say they have invited FIFA licensed international agents to scout and groom talents that will be discovered during the upcoming state tournament.
The Director-General of the Governor’s Cup tagged ‘Prosperity Cup’, Mr. Ono Akpe who disclosed this on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the unveiling of this year’s tournament, explained that over the years the competition has produced professional footballers who are playing in different clubs around the world.
He explained that aside from discovering talents in football, the tournament will also be aimed at bringing peace, unity, and togetherness among youths of the state.
According to him, the bulk of the players in Bayelsa United Football Club that lifted the Aiteo Cup were the products of the Governor’s Cup, saying the organizers of the tournament will continue to bring out talents in football.
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He revealed that the preliminary stage of the tournament will start on April 10th with the kick-off by the governor at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, while there will be two centres in each of the eight local government areas of the state.
He said that the tournament will be limited to U20 players and solicited the support of well-placed individuals and corporate organizations for a successful competition.
Bayelsa State Commissioner For Youths and Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, said the essence of the tournament is to ensure grassroots sports development in the state and proper grooming of the abundant football talents in different communities in the state.
He ascribed the several successes the state has recorded in sports to the motivation and exposure from the previous governor’s cup tournaments.
