International Scouting Exercise Commences on a High Note in Bayelsa State*
The 5th Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Program has kicked off in Yenagoa with over two hundred players screened from the ongoing Prosperity Cup, with ten foreign scouts across Europe including Laddan Bosso the under 20 National team coach and club owner and national scout Datti Ahmed in Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, coaches participating in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup are being equipped with contemporary coaching techniques.
The organizers of the Prosperity Cup on Monday started a coaching clinic in Yenagoa at Golden Tulip hotel, with Augustine Jibrin of OTP United of Finland giving the first lecture before the commencement of the scouting programme.
Declaring the 5th Governor Diri International Scouting Tournament/Coaching Clinic opened, Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali urged the coaches to take advantage of the opportunity, pointing out that he was impressed with the number of talents produced in the tournament in the last few years.
Dr. Igali noted that the Prosperity Administration was committed towards giving the youths in the state a prosperous life through sports, describing coaches as important in any sports.
Chairman House Committee on Sports, Barr Tare Porri in a remark, said sports in the last few years has changed the narrative in Bayelsa due to the achievements recorded in the sector, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has added value to the lives of the youths in the state.
Also, Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Alfred Nimizigha Kemapado appreciated the governor for providing the platform for the youths, stating that the scouting exercise would help to stimulate the best for young players and described sports as a serious business.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe said the essence of the coaching clinic and the scouting program was to impact positively in the lives of the youths in Bayelsa through sports.
In separate goodwill messages from the Mayor of Yenagoa City Council, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, former CAF medical committee member, Dr.Peter Singabele, Chairman Board of Tusteee, Prosperity Cup, Prof Felix Omenu asserted that the coaching clinic and the scouting exercise would expose the youths to the world.
The highlight of the programme was a free medical check-up of all registered coaches and participants.
The scouts are Mindaugas Malinauskas of Lithuania, a retired Lithuanian goalkeeper coach, Augustine Jibrin head coach, OTP United, Simas Kumza, Sports Director, FK Babrungas Plunge, Lithuania, Harry Azodo, Sporting Director OTP of Finland, Ahmet Ozein, agent choli scout, Turkey, former international Peter Nieketen, Hakan Uyanmis, agent and CEO H.Sports Management agency Sporting Director of Sakaryaspor, Glenn Stahl International Football Scout and Kelvin Etemike, CEO Tristone Sports/ OTP of Finland.
Three matches were played in the scouting programme today while on tuesday the coaching clinic and scouting program continues with eight games on the card with some of the most talented players on display.