Sports
BYSG To Groom 20 Footballers To Stardom
Director-General of the on-going Governor Seriake Dickson’s Football Tournament, tagged “Restoration Cup Season Two’’, Mr Onoriode Akpe, says the 20 talents discovered so far from the competition will be groomed to national and international stars.
Akpe told Tidesports source in Yenagoa at the weekend that grooming the footballers was part of Bayelsa Government’s plans to achieve needful development in the area of sports.
“The talented footballers will be taken to the Samson Siasia Football Academy in Abuja for more training for better use.
“The talents will also be going to two overseas countries, Spain and Portugal for more trainings and exposure in football.
“We are set for the second round of the competition.
“And the former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia and an international football scout, Friday Akoni, will be in the state to watch the second round of the tournament to pick the best 20 talents.
“There are abundant talents in Bayelsa State.
“During the first edition, 2015; we didn’t have as many hat-tricks scored as in this, but in this second edition, we have had eight hat tricks, it is outstanding.
“Our intension is to ensure that these talents are used in the feeder and main team of the Bayelsa United and other football clubs in the state, as well as developing their career in international football.
“The best 20 talents in this tournament will be sponsored for further training,’’ the director said.
Akpe expressed optimism that the second round would be more exciting, adding that the competition had kept the youth busy, thereby reducing the rate of crimes.
He thanked the governor Dickson for the opportunity given to youths to explore their abundant potential.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Business3 days agoSMEDAN, CAC Move To Ease Business Registration, Target 250,000 MSMEs
-
Sports1 day ago
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAfam 2 Power Plant Adds 160MW To National Grid, says Sahara Group
-
Rivers3 days agoYouth Leader Lauds Tinubu, Over Ogoni oil Dispute
-
News3 days agoShettima departs New York for Germany after UNGA engagement
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
GoG Crucial To Bayelsa’s Dev, Growth – Diri
-
Maritime3 days agoBlue Economy: FG Targets Lower Logistic Costs, Trade Competitiveness
-
News3 days agoDangote Refinery: PENGASSAN declares nationwide strike, Today