…As DG Prosperity Cup Hails Governor Douye Diri On Youth Empowerment
Four players out of the fourteen who were initially selected at the recently concluded SPOCS/Remo Invitational Tournament held at Ikenne, Ogun State, are set to be unveiled at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, next week.
The four players will be unveiled at a four-day scouting program, scheduled to kick off on Sunday, 29th October, where international scouts will be visiting the state to search for more talents on the invitation of the Prosperity Cup LOC and having been impressed with what they saw at Remo Staduim, Ikenne, Ogun State.
Director General of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, who disclosed this in a statement signed and released in Yenagoa, said the two teams, the Bayelsa Starlets, and Dream Football Academy comprising of 34 players were sponsored by the Prosperity Cup LOC to the invitational tournament, adding that the teams represented the state very well, and fourteen players were initially selected, but four were exceptional and caught the attention of the scouts to make the final cut.
Mr Ono Akpe said another scouting event will be held in Yenagoa next week, where the players will be unveiled, before they head to their respective clubs for the signing proper.
He said, “I am proud to say that four of our boys were picked from the teams we took to the SPOCS/Remo Invitational Tournament in Ikenne Ogun State, and that has further proven my stand that Bayelsa is blessed with many talents, all we need is to create the environment for these talents to be exposed, so that our youths will be engaged in their chosen profession.”
The DG said the four lads will add to the initial two players, Akpos Godbless and Junior Christopher, who were scouted and signed by the Head Coach of Bendel Insurance, Monday Odigie.
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“Two of our boys from the Prosperity Cup from Crusaders Feeders FC, have already joined Bendel Insurance of Benin, and are doing very well at the club. And as I speak, Bendel Insurance have asked for another player, which I believe they will sign soon. “
“Meanwhile, two players from this year’s Prosperity Cup, Goodluck Angel and J. Bassey have been signed by Bayelsa United, and we believe more players will be approached by different clubs either now or in the nearest future. “
Mr Akpe lauded the vision of the Governor towards football development, saying a lot of achievements have been recorded under his watch, and Bayelsa is fast becoming a hunting ground for talented footballers by both local and foreign scouts.
“We sincerely appreciate the massive support of His Excellency the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, for their unflinching support to the team.”
Speaking on the scouting program billed for next week, the football administrator stressed that ten teams based in Yenagoa will be invited to participate and four other teams from outside Bayelsa would also participate. He added that only those selected will be offered contracts to play in Europe, as he urged footballers who are willing to take football as their career to get prepared for the opportunities the state Governor is creating for the youths of the state.
Representative of the renowned International football agency, SPOCS Sports Consultants of Germany, Gbenga Agbejoye, in a letter to the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, said the four players will soon depart for Europe, as he congratulated Bayelsa for their wonderful performance at the invitational tournament, and expressed his willingness to visit Bayelsa, in search for more talents.
Scouts expected to attend include Moukoko Borel – Germany, Lockhart .G. Geoffrey – Northern Ireland, Gultekin Ersin – Austria, Payeer Helge – Austria,
Cattenoy Cedric – France, and Vjetrovic Marko – Serbia.
