July 03, (THEWILL) – On Tuesday, the 5th Governor Diri international scouting programme, entered day two, with exciting football and a display of skills from the lads between the ages of 14 to 20.
The scouts, numbering about ten from Sweden, Lithuania, Turkey and Finland, have been in Yenagoa, for the scouting programme and coaching clinic.
Assessing the exercise after day two of the programme, some of the scouts hailed Governor Douye Diri and the organisers for the sustainability of the tournament and the international scouting programme initiated over the years.
Swedish international football scout, Glenn Stahl, said Bayelsa is blessed with an abundance of raw talents, stating that the international scouting programme/coaching clinic was a smart initiative from the organisers of the spectacle.
According to him, educating the local coaches would help them to instil fresh knowledge in the players for they to be acquainted with modern techniques to become better gaffers.
A retired Lithuanian goalkeeper, Mindaugas Malinauskas, noted that he was impressed with the young talents spotted so far in the ongoing scouting exercise, maintaining that he is hopeful of seeing these lads excel outside Bayelsa in the future.
He noted that the coaching clinic has added value to the tournament and the lives of grassroots coaches in the State, stressing that sports development at the grassroots is the only therapy for talent discovery.
Also, Chief Executive Officer of Tristone Sports/OTP of Finland, Mr Kelvin Etemike urged the players to see the scouting exercise as a life-changing opportunity.
An elated Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, in an interview, said the essence of the coaching clinic and the scouting programme was to give local coaches and players a productive life through sports.
Mr Akpe, while outlining the importance of scouting to young players, explained that players, who were scouted last year in the tournament have travelled abroad to pursue their dreams.
He appreciated the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for giving sports a special place since he assumed office as the state’s helmsman, adding that the organisers of the tournament are working round the clock to host another coaching clinic by the end of this year.
Action will continue in the international scouting program on Wednesday at 8 am at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, as the exercise enters day three.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
