All is now set for the smooth commencement of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-Season Tournament at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) revealed on Thursday.
Eight (8) teams are scheduled to participate in the tournament viz: Bayelsa United, Abia Warriors, Akwa United, Sunshine Stars, Kwara United, Insurance of Benin, Rivers United, and Krusaders Feeders.
The tournament is being organized by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Football Association and the Prosperity Cup.
Chairman of the LOC, Mr. Ono K. Akpe, made this known during a press briefing at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex on Thursday in Yenagoa.
He noted that the 8-team tournament was initiated by the state government to position the state-owned football team, Bayelsa United, for the upcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
According to him, “The government wants to see Bayelsa United at the top of the league table next season, so we had to conceive this tournament to position them to clinch the title.
“We also hope to identify outstanding players from Bayelsa and coach them.”
On his part, Vice Chairman of the LOC, Mr. Perela Aboroson, disclosed that the tournament will hold between 11 August to 18 August 2024, beginning with the draw which takes place 7 pm this Sunday at Ididie Hotels, Yenagoa.
While noting that the teams will be divided into two groups, he added that winners of each group will now be the finalists while first runners-up will play the third-place match.
According to him matches will begin Monday August 12th, with four matches to be played per day.
Also speaking, Mr. Michael Ede Alakere, a Director in the Ministry of Sports Development and Representative of the Commissioner, averred that the tournament became imperative due to the need to harness the potential of players from the state football team.
“The government is also using this tournament as an opportunity to present some of our young players who took part in the Prosperity Cup to see if the teams from the Premiership side will recognize their potential,” he said.
