September 17, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government on Thursday signed an agreement with Hideas Plus Limited, a sports consultancy firm and organizers of the National Principals Cup Competition among secondary schools in the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Government House, Yenagoa, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed delight over the partnership agreement to identify and groom young talents in sports.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor, noted that the development is coming at a time when the government is working towards raising another professional football team for the state.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who said sports had contributed greatly to the overall development and unity of the country, expressed the belief that the partnership would be mutually beneficial to the firm and the state.
According to him, the deal provides an opportunity for the state to make steady progress in sports development, noting that Bayelsa is ready to host the Principals’ Cup competition.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo maintained that the State Government was working towards establishing another football team to brighten the sports fortunes of the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Daniel Igali, said the partnership is to ensure that talents discovered in the Principals’ Cup competition would be groomed to form the nucleus of the nation’s future teams.
He pointed out that the terms of the agreement made it clear that the State Government would not put any funds into the project, stressing that only the firm would scout for sponsorship from the organized private sector for the next three years.
The sports commissioner thanked the Deputy Governor for the effective leadership he had displayed in sports administration since assuming office in the state.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Hideas Plus Limited, Mr. Tony Pemu, said his sports consultancy firm had organized the Principals’ Cup for the last six years, with Zenith Bank as key partner and sponsor.
He said Hideas Plus Limited would develop a good training pitch for every secondary school which emerges champion in each state and groom the talents discovered through the competition.
Highlights of the ceremony included the signing of the agreement by the state Attorney General, Mr Diriyai Dambo (SAN) and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali for the state as well as presentation of a jersey to the Deputy Governor by the Managing Director of Hideas Plus Limited, Mr Tony Pemu.
In a related development, the deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing emergency repair works at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who was at the sports facility to inspect the renovation work ahead of Sunday’s CAF Champions League match between the home side, Bayelsa United FC, and a team from Guinea, noted that the state would meet its target before Sunday if the current pace of work is sustained.
He said it has taken several years since a side from Bayelsa participated last at the continental level, and therefore, expressed gratitude to Governor Douye Diri for his hardwork and commitment to sports development in the state.
The deputy Governor, who called on the people to turn up en masse on Sunday to cheer up Bayelsa United, expressed hope that the home team would once again make the state proud when they take on their Guinean opponents at the Samson Siasia Stadium this weekend.
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