…Participants Appreciate Gov Diri, Organizers for Investing them
Grassroot coaches in Bayelsa State have been charged to replicate what they have learned from the four-day Prosperity Cup coaching clinic in their various clubs.
The commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 3rd prosperity cup coaching clinic held at the NUJ Press Centre, Yenagoa, the state capital.
Dr. Daniel Igali, represented by the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi said he is pleased with the rising profile of the tournament, particularly the introduction of women and the para soccer versions, describing the director general of the tournament as an innovator.
He charged the various participating coaches to translate what they have learned from the programme into practice when the tournament commences at the various local government areas, pointing out that beyond winning trophies and prize money, the tournament has positively impacted the youths in the state.
While emphasizing that, every great player in the world is a product of a great coach, Dr. Igali expressed confidence in the ability of the coaches to bring the knowledge they have acquired from the exercise to bear during the tournament.
He lauded the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Augustine Eguavoen and his team of technocrats for giving the coaches a new direction that is capable of transforming them and their players.
In his remarks, one-time member of CAF medical committee and proprietor Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene, Dr. Peter Singabele described coaches as key players in the development of the game and urged them not to see the exercise as a jamboree, but an opportunity to improve themselves.
With hostilities for the tournament taking centre stage this weekend, Dr Singabele believes that the just-concluded programme would bring the best out of the grassroots coaches, stating that the exercise was indicative of their willingness to embrace modern coaching techniques.
Also speaking, Director General of the tournament’s Central Organizing Committee, Mr Ono Akpe asserted that the coaching clinic is one of the greatest things they have done for grassroots coaches in the state, pointing out that the programme is in line with the philosophy of the governor to make the youths self-reliant.
He commended the governor, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali for ensuring that youths in the state realized their dreams through sports.
Earlier, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Augustine Eguavoen said grassroots coaches in the state have been greatly impacted with new knowledge.
According to him, the exercise is a pointer to the Bayelsa State governor’s commitment to sports development, assuring that great coaches would spring up from among the participants.
He appreciated the governor, Senator Douye and the Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe for investing in grassroots coaches, describing it as a life changing programme.
In separate interviews, some of the participants expressed appreciation with the governor and the tournament organizers for putting the exercise together.
The programme climaxed with an anti-drug abuse session by officials of Bayelsa State Drug Abuse Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (BADAPARC) with a clarion call on the coaches to advise their players to shun performance enhancing drugs and other-related tendencies in their careers.
The highpoint of the exercise was the presentation of certificates to the various coaches that participated in the programme.
