**Governor Douye Diri Pre-Season Football Tournament 2024: A Landmark Event for Bayelsa Football**
1. Tournament Overview
The Governor Douye Diri Pre-Season Football Tournament was held in Bayelsa State as a precursor to the upcoming Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season. It featured six NPFL teams and two additional teams, transforming Bayelsa into a football epicenter during the tournament. This event significantly boosted the state’s hospitality industry, as hotels and restaurants were fully booked by participating teams and fans, underscoring the economic benefits of sports tourism.
2. Objectives of the Tournament
The tournament was primarily organized to:
- Prepare Bayelsa United for the upcoming season by providing high-quality competitive matches.
- Scout for new players to strengthen Bayelsa United, especially identifying talented players from the local Prosperity Cup, a tournament previously held in the state.
- Promote sports development in Bayelsa, not only by improving the team but also by exposing local talents to national and international scouts.
- Foster collaboration between different stakeholders within the sports industry and raise awareness about Bayelsa’s potential to host world-class football events.
Additionally, the tournament aimed to showcase Bayelsa’s hospitality and infrastructure, promoting it as a peaceful and attractive destination for sports and tourism.
3. Participating Teams
The tournament saw the participation of six premier teams from the NPFL:
- Abia Warriors
- Akwa United FC
- Rivers United FC
- Insurance FC (Bendel Insurance)
- Kwara United FC
- Sunshine Stars FC
- Bayelsa United
- Krusaders Selected Side – This team was made up of standout players from the Prosperity Cup, providing a platform for young talents to showcase their skills.
4. Tournament Format and Prizes
The tournament adopted a round-robin league format divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group competed in the final stages. The matches were held at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, over the course of eight days.
Although the prize money was not initially budgeted for, the organizing committee, supported by the Honorable Commissioner of Sports, approved 3 million Naira as prize money. Each participating team received an appearance fee, with Bayelsa United getting a higher amount of N700,000 due to its status as the home team.
5. Media Coverage and Impact
The tournament received extensive media coverage across various platforms:
- Print media: The event was featured in over 10 national newspapers, including The Guardian, Vanguard, Punch, and others.
- Online platforms: Websites like Complete Sports and Sports Village Square covered the tournament extensively.
- Broadcast media: The tournament was aired on major national television networks like NTA, AIT, Channels, and even on DSTV. Local TV stations and radio stations in Bayelsa also provided regular updates.
- Social media: The tournament was live-streamed across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, engaging a wide online audience.
With an estimated media reach of 40 million people, this event successfully increased the visibility of participating teams, promoted Bayelsa’s reputation as a peaceful and hospitable state, and endorsed the sports development policies of the Governor Douye Diri administration.
6. Notable Matches
- Bayelsa United’s journey was a rollercoaster ride. Despite losing their first game, the team showed great resilience, bouncing back to win the final against Bendel Insurance in a dramatic penalty shootout (7-6).
- Akwa United vs Kwara United: This closely contested third-place match saw Akwa United win after a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw during regular time.
- Several matches showcased intense competition, with standouts like Bayelsa United’s Emmanuel Otu, who was instrumental in leading his team to victory.
7. Performance Stats
- A total of 14 matches were played, with 17 goals scored, averaging 1.1 goals per match.
- Kwara United recorded the most clean sheets (4), while Bayelsa United was the team with the most goals scored (4).
- The tournament also featured high-level officiating, recognized for its fairness and professionalism, which enhanced the quality of the competition.
8. Appreciation and Conclusion
The report concludes with acknowledgments to Governor Douye Diri, other state officials, and the participating teams for their contributions to the success of the event. Special thanks were given to Bayelsa United for their remarkable performance and for representing the state well.
The overwhelming success of this tournament, along with the previously held Prosperity Cup, has established Bayelsa as a sports hub, with a bright future in football development. Due to the success of the men’s tournament, there is now a strong call for a female edition of the Pre-Season Tournament to be held in October 2024 for Bayelsa Queens, preparing them for their upcoming season.
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