As preparations for the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament hit fever pitch level, stakeholders in the sports industry have been commending the competition, its sponsor and the organisers.
The stakeholders are hailing not just the sustenance of the competition for all of seven years but they are also giving the tournament the thumbs up for the expansion the event has experienced in terms of club participation.
A cross-section of the stakeholders in separate interviews, commended the governor for the expansion of the tournament, tagged "Prosperity Cup", particularly the inclusion of the women and the para soccer categories in the competition.
Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboroson, said the competition has positively impacted the lives of the youths in Bayelsa, pointing out that beyond winning trophies, the tournament has given young players a means of livelihood.
He hinted that five players from the tournament's scouting programme would be leaving Bayelsa for Lithuania, Malta and Turkey for greener pasture this month.
Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United, Ladan Bosso, said the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, needs to be commended for taking the competition to a noticeable level, stressing that the tournament is a perfect avenue to scout for players from the various local government areas in the state.
He said the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament is one platform that has kept the youths busy, noting that during the tournament, less crime was reported in the state capital and the eight local government areas.
According to him, "the increase in the prize money for the women's version of the tournament would generate more interest in women football in Bayelsa and equally consolidate on the achievements recorded by Bayelsa Queens in women's football in Nigeria".
On his part, ex-international, Jossy Dombraye who described the tournament as international in outlook, said the 50 Million naira prize for the showpiece speaks volumes of the governor's deliberate effort to make Bayelsa the sporting hub of the country, adding that the current generation of players are lucky to have the dual platforms of the governor's cup and the accompanying scouting programme.
Also contributing to the discourse, Director-General of New Media to the governor, Dr. Kola Oredipe, said the tournament has over the years contributed to football development in the nation, pointing out that the investment the governor has made in the sports sector is a clear indication of the Prosperity administration's passion for sports.
Dr. Oredipe noted that the tournament has exposed many young talents in the state, adding that the governor has, in the last five years, given every sport in the state premium attention.
A member on the board of Bayelsa United, Ambassador Miebi Ogunu, who noted that the Prosperity Cup has taken grassroots players to a new dimension, described the competition as a blessing to the nation, pointing out that the increased prize money would improve tournament participation amongst teams.
Ambassador Ogun, who doubles as the President, Independent Grassroots Development Association of Nigeria (IGDA), equally urged multinational oil companies, financial institutions, the organized private sector as well as well-meaning Bayelsans to get involved in the tournament.
