Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has redeemed the million naira, promised to state- owned football team, Bayelsa United, after emerging champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2022 Nigerian National League and gaining into Nigerian professional football league.
Recall that Bayelsa United had defeated Cynosure of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 2-0 last Saturday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa which sealed the team’s promotion back to the elite league 7 years after dropping out of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Speaking during a dinner in honor of the management and players of the Club at the Golden Tulip, Onopa in Yenagoa, Governor Diri, expressed delight that after several close attempts, the club eventually gained the much-sought promotion to the NPFL.
Describing sports as a veritable tool for youth development, the Governor also described the club gaining promotion into the top elite as a new dawn and charged them to conquer the country in the next football season 1.
Governor Diri, who said he felt elated with the team’s achievement, approved an annual football fiesta aimed at consolidating the state football comparative advantage as well as serve as a breeding ground to groom young talents.
He said his administration’s investment in sports and human capacity development was no fluke as evident in the performance and achievements of the state in sports in the last 2 years.
According to him, the investments were geared toward positively engaging youths of the state and urged them to take advantage of the numerous opportunities created by government.
Describing motivation as a driving force for greater productivity, the State helmsman, also announced upward review of player’s’ match bonus to spur them to do more.
Other dignitaries at the event were, Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Dr. Fred Agbedi and Fred Obua both of the National Assembly, member of the State House Committee on Sports, Timi Agala-Omubo, President of Azikel Groups of company, Dr. Azibuapu Eruani, among other top government functionaries
