National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
… As defending champion, Crusaders FC trash new comers, Police Machine 3-nil
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has kicked off the 6th edition of the largest grassroots football tournament christened ” Prosperity Cup with a call on IOCs, Shell, Agip, Aiteo and other corporate bodies to support the tournament.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor who performed the kick off ceremony on behalf of Governor Douye Diri at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa appreciated all the sponsors including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB and Premium Trust Bank, adding that Prosperity Government will continue to invest in sports to meaningfully engage the youths
Ewhrudjakpor urged football lovers and stakeholders to take the tournament seriously, stating that the Federal Ministry of Youths andl Sports endorsement of the tournament is an indicative of the global recognition that the tournament has attracted.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr.Ono Akpe thanked Governor Douye Diri for approving the football tournament which according to him is a platform to curb youths restiveness in the state, describing the tournament as the largest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria.
Akpe said this year’s edition would feature the male, female and the para soccer, adding that over 200 teams would be competing for the coveted trophy in 22 centres across the eight local government areas of the state.
Meanwhile in the opening match of the tournament, defending champions Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene defeated new comers Police Machine three goals to nil.
The defending champions who dominated the first have of the match missed some scoring chances until the deadlock was broken in the 17th minutes of the game through a goal by Moses Anthony and in the 27th minutes Crusaders FC made it 2 nil through Handsome Surveyor in the first half of the match.
On resumption of the second half the Police Machine made two changes to the game as a result they begin to pile pressure on Crusaders FC missing two clear chances to equalize the game but on the 89th minutes of play Paul kememiah of Crusaders FC made it 3 nil to seal up victory for the defending champions.
Dignitaries who attended the event include the wife of the Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Diri, member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi,member representing Ekeremor Constituency one and the House Committee Chairman of sports, Hon. Tari Porri, Chief of Staff Government Dr Peter Akpe, Head of Service, Barr. (Mrs). Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema.
Others are chairman People’s Democratic Party PDP Hon. Solomon Agwana, Chairman of Bayelsa State People’s Democratic Party, members of the State executive council, local government chairmen, permanent Secretaries and Director of Sports Sir Braveman Wodi.
