By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has charged multinational oil companies and other corporate organizations operating in the state to complement the efforts of government in the area of sports development.

The Governor gave the charge while speaking during the presentation of branded jersey to him by members of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup.

Governor Diri also kick-started the process of the conduct the official draws of the tournament. In addition, he performed the ceremonial distribution of kits — comprising jerseys for players and coaches, as well as footballs to three teams participating in the tournament namely Afini Ladies of Amarata, Agbere FC of Agbere community and one of the para-soccer teams.

Senator Diri, who expressed delight at how the tournament has grown from a modest competition in 2015 to becoming Nigeria’s biggest grassroots competition with as many as 228 teams participating in the male category alone, commended organisers of the tournament for the great job they are doing.

Still speaking on the phenomenal growth of the tournament, Governor Diri said government alone could not develop sports and called on oil companies, other corporate organizations and well-meaning Bayelsans to support the tournament, maintaining that sports remains a vital tool to curb youth restiveness.
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‎According to the governor, who also the development of sports in any nation was incomplete without the grassroots sports development, pointing out that his administration remains committed to youth engagement and empowerment through sports.
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‎He commended the organizers of the tournament for putting together a refresher course for referees of the State Referees Council, urging the umpires to be upright in the discharge of their duties during the competition.
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‎He equally appreciated lead sponsors of the tournament, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Board of Internal Revenue for investing in sports development for their support.
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‎Also Deputy Director General of the tournament, Mr. Perela Aboro, described the main draws which took place shortly after at the Golden Tulip Resort Secretariat of the organisers of the Prosperity Cup, as transparent to every team, maintaining that this year’s edition would be the best in terms of organization.
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‎He noted that all hands were on deck to ensure that the competition was hitch-free in the various centres, adding that every effort was made to ensure teams were close to their base to cut high cost of transportation.
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‎Coach Perez Walson of FC De-Lavida, who in an interview, noted that he was prepared for the tournament, said he was particularly excited about the coaching clinic, adding that this year’s edition would be historic.
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‎Meanwhile, the draws conducted saw Canaan FC up against Sangana FC at the Okpoama centre in Brass Local Government Area, Ibidi FC will welcome Igoni FC of Igoni, Tough Dynamites will entertain Egweama FC as Amaogbo FC confronts Formosa FC.
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‎Fantua FC will battle Okoroba FC at the Opu-Nembe centre in the Nembe LGA; Young Ranger FC will take on Mangrove Ace FC while Okoroma United are drawn by. Genesis FC will keep a date with Victory FC, MC FC will lock horns with Nembe City as Fisherman Sons FC are on stand-bye.
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‎The Kolo centre in Ogbia Local Government Area will see Abagi FC tango Diocese of Ogbia, Movers FC of Otuasega battles Emeyal 2 FC, Ewoi FC of Ewoi will face neighbours Onuebum FC, as Bayelsa State College of Health Technology BYCOTECH FC faces Chief Street FC.