July 02, (THEWILL) – The Chairman of the House Committee on Youths and Sports in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Tarri Pori, has declared the International Coaching Clinic of the 5th Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Programme opened in Yenagoa, the state capital. The event, which took place at the Golden Tulip, had 50 participants – Grassroots Coaches in Bayelsa.
Declaring the ceremony open, Hon. Tarri Pori stated that Governor Douye Diri, has increased capacity across the board, particularly among the youth in Bayelsa State. He added that it is one of the programs that have added value to the youth of the state.
According to him, for effective performance by the youth in the state, the governor has wisely separated the Ministry of Youths and Sports into the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Youths in order to engage the youth positively. This has significantly changed the negative perceptions many had about the state in the past.
He remarked, “the Governor’s Tournament indeed has come to stay. I want to assure Bayelsans that the speaker and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly are ready to partner with the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Youths to ensure that the funds needed for them to work effectively will be approved.”
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Governor’s Tournament, known as Prosperity Cup, Onoriode Kelvin Akpe, mentioned that the Grassroots tournament is made possible by the state’s sports-loving governor, Senator Douye Diri.
He highlighted that the aim of the Coaching Clinic is to instill fresh knowledge into the Grassroots Coaches. “We want to equip our Coaches so they can help our players shine on a global stage.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the Mayor of Yenagoa Local Government Council, Hon. Boloudeseiye Ndiwari, thanked Governor Douye Diri for offering the state’s youth the opportunity to redirect their energy positively.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Commissioner of Youths, Hon. Alfred Kemepade, commended the governor for providing a platform for the state’s youth to showcase their potential. He also expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Baraladei Igali, for making the state proud in the field of Sports Development.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of Prosperity Cup T-shirts to guests and dignitaries, health talks and medical check-ups for sugar levels and blood pressure (BP) for healthy and productive performance.
The scouts present included Mindaugas Malinauskas from Lithuania, a retired Lithuanian goalkeeper coach, Augustine Jibrin head coach, Simon Kumza, Sports Director of FK Babrungas Plunge, Lithuania, Harry Azodo, Sporting Director OTP of Finland, Ahmet Ozein, talent scout from Turkey, former international player Peter Nketen, Hakan Uyanmis, agent and CEO of H.Sports Management Agency, Sporting Director of Sakaryaspor, Glenn Stahl, International Football Scout, Kelvin Etemike, CEO of Tristone Sports/OTP of Finland, and Ladan Bosso, Coach of the Under 20 National Team and celebrated Club owner and scouting agent, Datti Ahmed.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
