The stage is set for the grand finale of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season football tournament in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, will be the Special Guest of Honour. After a week of entertaining football involving seven of the country’s biggest teams and a home-based team, four teams are left to battle for third place, second place, and first prize.
The Samson Siasia Sports Complex will once again be illuminated with exciting moments on Sunday, August 18th. Akwa United will face Kwara United in the third-place match at 2 pm, while Bayelsa United will tackle Insurance of Benin in the grand finale at 4 pm.
According to a statement by the Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season football tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, the state has been agog with exciting football. The tournament was organized to help teams prepare for the forthcoming Nigerian Professional Football League season, which is billed to start in a few weeks.
Mr. Akpe lauded the teams for their professional conduct and the synergy and unity exhibited by the clubs in Yenagoa. The statement also mentioned that the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, will be the Special Guest of Honour. Other guests expected at the games include:
- Chairman, Bayelsa Football Association, Barrister Porbeni Ogun (Guest of Honour)
- Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali (Host)
- Former Medical Committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Peter Singabele (Chairman of the occasion)
- Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon. Tare Porri
- Member Representing Kolokuma Opokuma Constituency 2, Hon. Wisdom Fafi
- Other members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly
- Government appointees
- Sports stakeholders
- Sports Writers
- Bayelsans at large
The week-long event was an initiative of the Bayelsa State Prosperity Government of Governor Douye Diri, designed to prepare the rejuvenated Bayelsa United under new manager, Ladan Bosso.
