The chairman of Trade Union Congress TUC Bayelsa State Council Mr Laye Julius says the prospect of young Bayelsans playing in the various national teams is bright with the ongoing Bayelsa State Governor’s football tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
Mr Julius in an interview said, he was satisfied with the level of organization and quality of football the various teams have shown in the tournament.
The former vice chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association likened the performance and quality to a league football, stating that the smooth organization of the tournament has given hope to more teams to be involved in the spectacle.
He noted that the painstaking measures by the organizers during protest to get information to settle disputes from the participating teams have further given the competition credibility within and outside the state.
The TUC Boss commended the semi finalist for the determination and commitment to progress to the last four, adding that the four teams have shown that grassroots is the bedrock of any meaningful football development in any country.
Mr. Julius pointed out that with the bundle of talents he has watched in the tournament he is optimistic of seeing Bayelsa born players in the various national teams, stating that it is worrisome that for a long time there is no Ijaw name in the national team.
He appreciated Governor Senator Douye Diri and his deputy senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for conceiving the vision to use sports to curb crime and criminality in the State, maintaining that he was not surprised with governor’s passion towards sports due to his background as former commissioner for sports.
In the meantime, semi final action will return this weekend at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
De Grace FC on Saturday will take on Dream Boys FC of Odi at 3pm, while on Sunday will witness a western derby as Agbere FC confronts Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretorugbene by 3pm.
The grand finale of the competition is scheduled to take place on the 30th of July, 2023 at the Samson Siasia stadium with governor Douye Diri alongside other government functionaries expected to declare the spectacle closed.
