Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said his administration will continue to ensure the state is regarded as the home of sports in the country, adding that sports development is one of the cardinal points of his government.
Speaking before the final game of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, Diri said he would soon unfold more sporting events, urging youths and sports stakeholders to up their game and get ready for the competitions.
The yearly tournament, which features youth teams and football clubs from the various communities in the state, is the brainchild of the past administration of former Governor Seriake Dickson.
Diri congratulated the finalists and the 206 teams that participated in the competition, urging the losers to brave up for the next edition.
While presenting the trophy and prize money to the winners, Eternal Grace Ministry (EGM) FC, Diri described sports as a tool for engaging youths in the state. He said his government would do more to encourage youths to shun cultism, drug abuse and other social vices, capable of ruining their lives.
The curtains of the fourth Prosperity Cup was drawn on Tuesday, with hard fighting EGM FC of Yenagoa beating Ocean boys, Odioma FC of Brass 2-1 in the final match.
In the third place match, Agbere FC of Sagbama proved their superiority over Ogbia-based Anyama FC, beating them 3-2 to emerge as the third best team.
Winners, EGM FC of Yenagoa, got N5 million, first runner up, Odioma FC, received N2.5 million, while third placed Agbere FC got N1 million for their efforts.
For making the semifinals, Anyama Ogbia received N500, 000.
