..Sports Development Incomplete Without Grassroots Input — Dr Akpe.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe says no meaningful sports development can take place without input from the grassroots.
The Deputy Governor made the assertion shortly after the formal presentation of the special, branded trophies for both male and female categories of the Prosperity Cup, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The presentation of the trophies to Governor Douye Diri by the organisers of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament heralds this year’s edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Akpe stated that “the development of sports is incomplete without the grassroots, so attention has to be paid to grassroots sports if we want our sports to grow to the next level”.
Dr Akpe noted that the Prosperity Cup, the biggest grassroots football competition in the country, has over the years become the bedrock of a good number of teams in the country, particularly Bayelsa United FC., adding that the Prosperity administration was using sports as a tool to curb youth restiveness, urging young footballers in the State to take advantage of the platform before them.
He commended the organizers of the tournament for their foresight to put together various capacity building programmes for officials before the commencement of the tournament.
Earlier, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri received the branded trophies, specially crafted to celebrate Bayelsa at 30, from former Nigerian International, Jossy Dombraye and former Bayelsa Queens star, Ebiere Wealth. After receiving the trophies, the Governor handed them over to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, who in turn handed them over to the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali.
Governor Diri and his Deputy, Dr. Akpe were equally presented with a branded FC Barcelona jersey each, by the officials of FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon.
Shortly after the presentation of the trophies to the Governor, he performed the ceremonial kick-off of the match between two Bayelsa selected sides, which officially signals the commencement of hostilities of Season 8 of the Prosperity Cup.
The kick-off and presentation of the trophies are coming after a week of intensive capacity-building training for referees, medical personnel, the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic, and workshop for coordinators as well as media personnel covering the tournament.
Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe in an interview, asserted that this year’s edition of the tournament was significant as it coincides with the 30 years anniversary of the creation of the State and the collaboration with International Technical Advisers, FC Barcelona of Spain.
He noted that the competition would witness tremendous improvement because grassroots football coaches have been impacted by the FC Barcelona technical staff in the last three days, maintaining that the series of capacity training programmes were indicative of the governor’s commitment to sports development.
Mr Akpe hinted that the state government is very intentional in setting up the FC Barcelona Academy in Bayelsa State, explaining that Season 8 of the competition will see 257 teams, comprising 227 male, 28 female and two para-soccer teams, participating in the competition.
The DG appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri, lead sponsors, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Binad Table Waters, King George’s Court and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense contribution to the development of sports in the State.
Also, Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi, opined that the organizers of the tournament are fully prepared for the competition, describing this year’s edition as special to celebrate the state creation.
Officials of FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon in separate interviews, remarked that they are pleased with the organization of the tournament, stating that they have spotted talents that could be exposed to FC Barcelona in the near future.
Meanwhile, in the kick-off match, Prosperity Cup Selected B team beat Prosperity Cup Selected A team by two goals to one in what can best be described as a Spanish/Bayelsa combo.
One of the two sides was tutored by Bernat Villa Gorriz while the other side was coached by Alberto Lafuente Rincon. The two FC Barcelona officials were assisted by Anthony Fouye and Dimie Ineididie, from Afini FC and Bayelsa United Feeders FC respectively.
Gov Diri Receives Branded Prosperity Cup Trophies
