Prosperity Cup DG, Akpe Hails Bayelsa State Government For Support.
...Bayelsa Starlets Win NLO U-19 Youth League
Director General of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, says the investment of the government in Bayelsa Starlets Academy, affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, is gradually yielding result.
Mr. Akpe made this known while reacting to Bayelsa Starlets’ triumph in the Nationwide League One U-19 Youth League held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. The Yenagoa centre had six teams that participated in the league.
He noted that their emergence as champions of the Yenagoa centre was the beginning of greater things for Bayelsa Starlets, stating that he is elated by the lads’ triumph.
Mr. Akpe remarked that the victory was not by accident but by divine providence coupled with months of camping which started in May, urging the players to see the victory as a stepping stone in their respective careers.
According to him, the achievement by the Starlets was indicative that the government’s investment in the team has started germinating, maintaining that the feat is a reflection of the avalanche of talents in the State.
He appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for the immense support to see that the youths in the State realized their potentials.
The DG remarked that building a world-class academy was not a three-month project, but the NLO U-19 Youth League victory has rejuvenated the players and coaches ahead of the scheduled visit of officials of Barcelona in September.
He hinted that plans are underway to screen 60 players selected from the just concluded U-15 tournament, with a target of having 35 players each in the U-19 and U-15 squads, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FC Barcelona of Spain.
“We want to show the Governor that his support for us in bringing about the Barcelona partnership was not a mistake. According to him, “This is evident in winning the first major tournament we have participated in. It is not a state league but a national league for this region,” Akpe stated.
Bayelsa Starlets Academy won the NLO U-19 Youth League in the Yenagoa Centre with 12 points after winning four of their five matches with just one loss against Bayelsa United Feeders, who finished as runners-up with 10 points.
Starlets humbled Dolphins ACA FC of Port-Harcourt 3-0 courtesy of Jude Onisoya, Christopher James, Joel Udake goal on 73, 78 and 92nd minute while Bayelsa United Feeders were held to a goalless draw by Obago FC of Port-Harcourt in the last match of the day having won four matches.
