Two ultra modern mini stadia are to be constructed in D/Line and Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State to promote Street Soccer.

This declaration was made by Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi at the weekend during the opening ceremony of the Old Port Harcourt Township/Borokiri Soccer Cup competition, tagged Amaechi Cup 2012 at the No1 field along Bende – Niger Street, Port Harcourt.

The Governor said that the two new mini stadia would assist in channelling the energies of youths in the state towards positive ventures and remove restive elements from the streets of Port Harcourt.

He used the forum to explain the N18 million prize money at stake in the Amaechi Cup.

According to him, government is giving out the lump sum as prize money to express this administration’s readiness to reward youths and Rivers people who win laurels and attract honour to the state.

He stated that the prize money does not in any way translate to financial recklessness or arrogance on the part of government.

The Governor, who attended the ceremony with two of his sons and watched the opening match urged the Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe to work out modalities of including women in the street soccer tournament subsequently.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Sports assured of a hitch-free tournament, adding that his ministry was commited to implementing the sports policy of the state government.

In the hightly entertaining and keenly contested opening match, Etche and Opobo  Streets teams in Group  B ended their encounter goalless.

Also in the three matches decided yesterday, Niger Street beat Rex Lawson Street 3 – 2 while Ndoki Street over came Harbour Road 1-0 in Group A.

The other teams in Group B, Cemetary Road and Reclamation also ended their tie goalless in yesterday’s third match.

The competition continues today with three matches, Victoria Street versus Hospital Road and Adaka Boro Street versus Ibeto Road in Group C, while Andoni Street tangos with Potts Johnson in Group D.