All six visiting teams are expected to be in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, for the first edition of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament.
Six Premier League teams—Abia Warriors, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance, Kwara United, Sunshine Stars, and Rivers United—will join Bayelsa United and Krusaders Feeders, who are also billed to participate in the pre-season competition, the first to be staged in Yenagoa.
A statement from the Chairman of the Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, indicated that the Youth Development Commissioner, Hon. Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, will be the Special Guest of Honour and will perform the ceremonial kick-off.
According to the statement, a former Youth and Sports Development Commissioner and current Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Perekiye Buruboyefe, will be the Chairman of the occasion.
The Mayor of Yenagoa City Local Government Council, Hon. Boloudiseye Ndiwari, and the former Kolokuma Opokuma Council Chairman, Hon. Ebikitin Diongoli, will be Guests of Honour.
Akpe said the draws will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, while games will commence at 8 a.m. on Monday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
He disclosed that the winner of the pre-season football tournament will be rewarded with the sum of N1.5 million, N1 million for second place, and N500,000 for third place.
Akpe also expressed his appreciation to Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for their pragmatic efforts in making the state one of the sporting hubs in the country.
He further urged Bayelsans to turn out en masse to support the two Bayelsa teams participating in the pre-season tournament.
