Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri has charged newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side Bayelsa United to win the 2022/2023 NPFL title.
Governor Diri gave the charge at a dinner with players and officials of the club at the Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye Conference Hall in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri while congratulating the team for returning to the elite division, said playing in the NPFL was the beginning of their success having won the Aiteo Cup last year, pointing out that the state government was committed in seeing them play in the CAF Champions League.
The Bayelsa state helmsman noted that the government would do anything possible to ensure that quality players are recruited across the world to strengthen the squad, and described them as ambassadors.
Senator Diri hinted that the state government is ready to send the technical crew of Bayelsa United for a refresher courses in order to be acquainted with modern football techniques, saying that he was pleased to hear that 75 percent of the players are Bayelsans.
He noted that his administration would soon embark on the remodeling of the Samson Siasia Stadium before the commencement of the season or kick start the construction of a new stadium in Yenagoa, noting that the Prosperity government is committed in making Bayelsa a hub of sports in Nigeria.
The state chief executive explained that due to Bayelsa State exploit in sports that state would soon have a state sports festival in complimenting it sports development policies that the state government has received positive responses from corporate bodies.
He lauded management, technical crew and players Bayelsa United for their undiminished commitment in ensuring that the team move out of wilderness after seven years.
In a remark Chairman Bayelsa United, Mr Ebiki Timitimi appreciated the governor for giving premium attention to sports development, describing Bayelsa United thirteen games unbeaten run as unprecedented.
He asserted that he is happy to have guided the Prosperity Boys to the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL in a space of one year after his appointment.
In separate goodwill messages, Member CAF medical committee Sir Dr Peter Singabele and State Chairman Bayelsa State Football Association Bar Porbeni Ogun charged the players to be focused and not to let the euphoria get into them.
They thanked the governor and his deputy Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for the immense support given to the team, adding that Bayelsa sports has never have it so good since the state’s creation.
