- Top NPFL Sides Confirm Participation
The Ministry of Sports Development and the Bayelsa State Football Association, in collaboration with the Prosperity Cup organizers and Red Sapphire, a sports management consultant have concluded plans to stage the maiden Governor Douye Diri pre-season football tournament in Yenagoa.
Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the pre-season tournament, Mr. Diseye Nwankwe gave the hint at the Samson Siasia Stadium, while addressing newsmen, ahead of the tournament.
He explained that the tournament will hold between Sunday, 11th and Sunday, 18th of August, 2024, with participating teams expected to arrive on the 11th of August.
According to him, the essence of the tournament is to put the participating teams, especially Bayelsa United in good shape for the 2024/2025 football season.
The tournament is also intended to foster stronger relationships among the participating teams, provide a platform for the teams to prepare for the upcoming season, identify and recruit new talents to strengthen their squads, ahead of the season as well as help the players develop mental toughness and prepare them for the pressures of top flight competition.
The secretary of the LOC, who also doubles Secretary of the Bayelsa State FA, further stated that, the event will equally provide an opportunity for teams to bond together and transform themselves to more cohesive units, among others.
The tournament, which is expected to feature eight teams from the top flight of the Nigerian League will see perennial title contenders Rivers United of Port Harcourt, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Abia Warriors of Umuahia, Akwa United of Uyo and hosts, Bayelsa United of Yenagoa in action.
Others are Insurance of Benin, Kwara United of Ilorin, Warri Wolves of Warri, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Coal City United FC of Enugu and 2023 Prosperity Cup champions and Bayelsa State FA Cup Champions, Krusaders of Yenagoa.
Mr. Nwankwe disclosed that appearance fee for each of the participating teams will be Five Hundred Thousand naira (#500.000.00), in addition to free accommodation for all the visiting teams, among other incentives.
He stated that more teams, other than the already designated teams are jostling to participate in the Governor Douye Diri pre-season football tournament, insisting that, participation in this maiden edition has been pegged at a maximum of 8 teams.
In his reaction, Bayelsa United Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso said the tournament would serve as a perfect preparatory ground for his wards, ahead of the upcoming season, which is due to commence on the 31st of August, 2024.
He promised to use the Pre- Season Tournament to perfect his strategies for Bayelsa United and turn the side around to a formidable team capable of challenging for titles in the coming season.
Bosso used the opportunity to applaud Governor Douye Diri for sponsoring the tournament, stating that the gesture is indicative of the governor’s desire to give sports, especially football it’s pride of place in the scheme of things.
The former National U-20 team gaffer noted that the pre-season tourney is to test the readiness of the team, as well as enable him to make necessary adjustments prior to the new season.
Other coaches, who are expected to lead their teams to the tournament include; Abia Warriors FC helmsman, Imama Amapakabo, Rivers United FC, managed by former super eagles coach, Finidi George, Muhammed Babaganaru of Akwa United, Kennedy Boboye of Sunshine Stars, Monday Odigie of Insurance, Austine Johnny of Warri Wolves, Gbenga Ogunbote of Shooting Stars and Genesis Suomokumo of Krusaders Feeders FC.