In fulfilment of a promise he made towards the end of the last football season, the Member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency II in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Wisdom Fafi has donated two sets of new jerseys to Bayelsa United Football Club ahead of the new Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Hon. Fafi made the donation at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa shortly after the Bayelsa United training on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
The lawmaker explained that he promised to donate the set of jerseys to Bayelsa United if they avoided the drop in the NPFL, expressing optimism that the team would do better this coming season.
It will be recalled that the Yenagoa-based Bayelsa United struggled for the better part of last season and only managed to escape relegation on Match Day 38 when they miraculously recorded an away win against Bendel Insurance of Benin.
Noting that the donation was his way of giving back to the society, Fafi said the initiative was a support to the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
Hon. Fafi, who is an avid football follower, said the move would also compliment the efforts of Governor Douye Diri, who has done so much to develop sports in the state in the last five years.
The State Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, called on international oil companies (IOCs) and financial institutions operating in the state, as well as well-meaning Bayelsans to invest in the development of sports.
Dr Igali, who was represented by the Director of Human Resource Management in ministry, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere, said sports development is capital intensive, adding that government alone cannot bear the burden.
The sports commissioner noted that the ministry is open to collaborative initiatives from the private sector, adding that Hon. Fafi's gesture would go a long way in reducing the burden on the state government.
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In his remarks, chairman of Bayelsa United Football Club, Mr Ebiki Timitimi lauded the lawmaker for the donation, hinting that a set of the donated jerseys would be used for the team's opening game of the new season.
An elated Ebiki Timitimi, who described sports as a unifier, assured Bayelsans of a better 2024/25 season.
Bayelsa United would kick-start the new season with an away match against Sunshine Stars at the 10,000-capacity Township Stadium, Akure.
