July 17, (THEWILL) – A week after the completion of the 5th Governor Diri International Scouting Program/Coaching Clinic, the organisers of the exercise announced the selection of eighteen young players for camping in Lagos.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, in a statement on behalf of the Central Organising Committee, said eighteen players have been selected by MVP Sports Management Agency, for camping at Moonluck Football Academy in Lagos State.
According to the statement, the camping would be to select the most outstanding players of the lot as well as to put the selected players in shape in preparation for their trip to Portugal in October 2024 for one of the most sought-after youth tournaments in Europe, the U-17 CASCAIS LUSO CUP.
The CASCAIS LUSO U17 tournament in Portugal is also known as the IberCup- It is a large-scale international youth football tournament which takes place in the city of Cascais, which is close to Lisbon the tournament offers international exposure to the players.
The statement notes that their participation in the international tournament would give the lads the opportunity to be picked and signed by foreign clubs in major leagues in Europe with the possibility of being called by the National U-17 team.
It explains that the week-long programme, which took place from the 30th of June to the 4th of July, 2024, in Yenagoa was yielding the needed results as the initiative was based on the vision of giving Bayelsa youths a positive living through sports.
It further states that five other players have also been picked for club placement in Europe by TriStone/OTP Finland, the principal agents at the 5th Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Program/Coaching Clinic and also partners of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup.
The organisers of the Prosperity Cup extend their profound gratitude to the governor, Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for their enduring support and fatherly role in ensuring the continued success of the tournament.
Players selected include Victor Ezeobi of Fan Best FC, Nelson Jonathan of Bayelsa Team 2, Oghre Solomon, Preye Doblis, Bayelsa Utd Feeders, Uduak Joel, David Weri, Jeffrey Ebiede, Highness Lazarus, Gege Opuene, Stanley Idon, Kingley Amadi of Bayelsa Medical University BMU FC, Igwe Ndukwe of Fan Best FC, Iwereume Silina FC, Alfred Favour, Lucky Oriezi Okoro, Bayelsa Starlets, Felix Richard and Bestman Paul.
Others are Moses Anthony of Krusaders Feeders FC, Preye Dabs, Bayelsa State Feeders, Godfrey Acent, Olodi Lions, Bright Femiowei Ogbonbiri FC and Tomyemıete Owugah, Bayelsa United Feeders.
All Selected players are expected to report Wednesday 17th July at the Samson Siasia Stadium before the kick-off of the 2nd semi-final games of the ongoing Prosperity Cup.
The COC equally invites the public to come out in numbers to watch the semi-final/final matches of the Male, Female and Para-Soccer Editions on Wednesday the 17th, through Saturday the 20th of July, 2024 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex at 1pm daily.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
