The sixth edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s tournamen christened “the Prosperity Cup” has kicked off at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Addressing participants on Friday, Governor Douye Diri said the State has taking sports as one of its major tool for bringing youths out of drugs and criminality.
Governor Diri, noted that the successes recorded in fifth edition of the competition was a testament of the feat achieved.
The State chief executive, lauded the federal government and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for appointing again another Bayelsan, Mr Finidi George as the gaffer of the Super Eagles.
While performing the official opening of the competition, Governor Diri expressed optimism that the tourney will not only curb youth restiveness, but create opportunities for exceptional players who may want to pursue a career in football.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor again thanked the federal government for allowing the State to sponsor and host the Super- six.
The opening day action of the Prosperity Cup lived up to expectation with a keenly contested match between the defending champions, Krusaders Feeders and new entrants, Police Machine.
The debutants eventually had the pendulum swung in their side as they defeated their opponent by three goals to send a signal to other participants that they are not in the competition to make up the numbers, but to make a mark.
Three goals from jerseys number eight, nine and eleven, ensured that the title holders were victorious on the opening day of the tournament.
The governor, who said the federal government has endorsed the competition for three years, called on IOCs, Shell, Agip AITEO, Oando and other multinational companies operating in the State to support he competition.
Governor Diri, appreciated NCDMB, Linkage Assurance, Premium trust among others for their continued support to the tournament and called for it sustenance.
In her remarks, representative of the Commissioner for Sports Development, Ebikibina Ugo, attributed the success of the sporting sector to the commitment and support of the governor to sports being a one-time Commissioner for Sport in the State.
Also speaking, Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, who described the competition as the largest grassroots football tournament in that country that would come out with outstanding games of football.
Mr Ono, further said the tournament is loaded with three editions in one, such as the male, female editions and the para-soccer.
Also speaking, proprietor of the defending champions, Krusader Feeders, Dr Peter Singable, who lauded the scintillating performance of his team, charged them to retain the title.
