The Director General of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, Mr Ono Akpe says this season the organisers of the competition are targeting not less than 10 players leaving the shores of this country to ply their trade abroad.
Mr Ono Akpe stated this in an interview with journalists ahead of the kick-off of the tournament, arguably the biggest grassroots football competition in the country.
Noting that five players from the previous scouting programme are on the verge of traveling to Turkey, Malta and Lithuania for greener pasture, the Director General strongly believes that more players from this season would be joining the ones jetting out in the next couple of weeks.
According to him, "A lot of our players are being scouted and positioned in various clubs across the country, and not just in Bayelsa United. Some of our products are in Abia Warriors, Rivers United, Bendel Insurance and a whole lot of other clubs. Interestingly, five of our players are going to Europe this year. One has already secured his visa and would be travelling next week. Two others will start processing their visas any time from now. Another who went for his visa had age-related issues. He is under 18 years and would be going back in six months time when he turns 18. He will be going to Turkey.
"And for us, this is the incredible part; one player who is able to make an impact internationally, it will make an impact in his life, in his family, his community and even the state. The ripple effect of getting these boys, first off the streets, and then into productive and gainful activity is something we must celebrate and I am very proud of that".
Mr. Akpe asserted that the vision of the organizers at the end of the season seven was to see more than ten players plying their trade with different European clubs, stating that the organizers of the showpiece are desirous to give the youths in the state a better life.
The Director General, who noted that the governor is passionate to see that youths in the state earn a living through sports, said the state helmsman's love for sports was the reason behind the tournament's continuous innovation.
Season eight of the tournament, which promises to be spectacular, is expected to kick off this month across the eight local government areas in the state in 24 centers. There are three categories namely male, female and the para category.
