The Chairman of Bayelsa United Football Club of Yenagoa, Ebiki Timitimi has solicited the support and collaboration of members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bayelsa State Council.
Timitimi sought the collaboration when members of the state SWAN paid the management team of Bayelsa United a familiarization visit at the conference hall of the state Ministry of Sports Development in Yenagoa on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
To drive home his commitment to the request for collaboration, he assured members of the state SWAN that from the coming football season provision would be made for two sports writers to travel with the team whenever the Yenagoa-based club was travelling out for away matches. He however said because of the logistic implications it might be difficult to actualize the promise if the club was travelling to the far North.
He also assured the members of SWAN that as soon as the new season kicks off, they would be given tags to facilitate entry to the stadium without any hindrance.
The chairman, who is also former player of Bayelsa United FC, assured that he was always open and reachable. He advised that should any member of SWAN have any issue with him, the club or any member of the management team, such persons should reach out to them rather than going to press to castigate the team or its officials, stressing that as stakeholders, SWAN should make every effort to always promote the interest of the team at all times.
Timitimi disclosed that as part of efforts to sanitise the conduct of spectators on match days, spectators would henceforth not be allowed to sit directly behind the bench of both the home and away teams, adding that the management of the club has observed that such sitting arrangement was a source of distraction to the team handlers. He also said henceforth there will be restriction to the VIP stand, adding that from the new season management would begin to collect gate fees for every home match.
Speaking on the 0-1 loss to Remo Stars on Monday, August 12, in the on-going Governor Douye Diri Pre-season tournament, the football administrator said he is not too concerned about the outcome of pre-season, and other friendly matches, arguing that the purpose of such matches was to assess the strength and weaknesses of one’s team with a view to strengthening the team.
Timitimi, who commended the state governor, Senator Douye Diri for his commitment to sports development in the state and particularly his support for Bayelsa United FC, used the occasion to thank Hon. Wisdom Fafi, the member representing Kolokuma\Opokuma Constituency II in the state House of Assembly for donating two sets of jerseys to Bayelsa United.
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The chairman congratulated members of the state Sports Writers Association for the successful conduct of their election.
Also speaking during the familiarization visit, new Technical Adviser for Bayelsa United, Ladan Bosso appealed for patience from football-loving Bayelsans, assuring that he would do his best to take the club to greater heights. Emphasising the importance of discipline in sports, he said remuneration in the club was tied to performance.
In her response, the new Chairperson of Bayelsa SWAN, Mrs Timinepre Ohia assured the management of Bayelsa United that SWAN was prepared to work with the team, assuring that the Association will not only give the darling team of Yenagoa the needed publicity but would do everything to portray the team in positive light.
