Organizers of the 5th Governor Diri International Scouting Program/Coaching Clinic have announced the selection of eighteen young players for camping in Lagos, a week after the completion of the exercise.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, in a statement on behalf of the organizing committee, revealed that eighteen players have been selected by MVP Sports Management Agency for camping at Moonluck Football Academy in Lagos State.
According to the statement, the camping would be to select the most outstanding players of the lot as well as to put the selected players in shape in preparation for their trip to Portugal in October 2024 for the U-17 Caiscais Luso Cup in Portugal.
Also known as the IberCup, the Caiscais Luso U-17 tournament is said to be a large-scale youth football tournament that offers international exposure to the players, he said.
Akpe, in the statement, noted that their participation in the international tournament would give the lads an opportunity to be picked and signed by foreign clubs in major leagues in Europe with the possibility of being called by the National U-17 team.
He explained that the week-long scouting exercise which took place from the 30th of June to the 4th of July, 2024 in Yenagoa was yielding the needed results as the initiative was based on the vision of giving Bayelsa youths a positive livelihood through sports.
He further hinted that five other players have also been picked for club placement in Europe by TriStone/OTP Finland, the principal agents at the 5th Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Program/Coaching Clinic and also partners of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup.
The statement thanked Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, for their enduring support and fatherly role in ensuring the continued success of the tournament.
Players selected include: Victor Ezeobi of Fan Best FC; Nelson Jonathan of Bayelsa Team 2; Oghre Solomon; Preye Doblis of Bayelsa Utd Feeders; Uduak Joel; David Weri; Jeffrey Ebiede; Highness Lazarus; Gege Opuene; Stanley Idon; Kingley Amadi of Bayelsa Medical University BMU FC; Igwe Ndukwe of Fan Best FC; Iwereume Silina FC; Alfred Favour; Lucky Oriezi Okoro; of Bayelsa Starlets, Felix Richard; and Bestman Paul.
Others are Moses Anthony of Krusaders Feeders FC; Preye Dabs of Bayelsa State Feeders; Godfrey Acent of Olodi Lions; Bright Femiowei of Ogbonbiri FC; and Tomyemıete Owugah of Bayelsa United Feeders.
Akpe said all selected players are expected to report Wednesday 17th July at the Samson Siasia Stadium before the kick off of the 2nd semi final games of the ongoing Prosperity Cup.
The COC equally invites the public to come out in their numbers to watch the semi-final/final matches of the Male, Female and Para-Soccer Editions on Wednesday the 17th, through Saturday the 20th of July, 2024 at the Stadium by 1pm daily.
