A new football tournament is set to take centre stage in Bayelsa State,
South-South, Nigeria, Christened “The Governor Henry Seriake Dickson Cup 2015”, the
competition is expected to feature over One hundred teams, representing the 105
electoral wards as well as State and Federal owned higher institutions of
learning in the State.Announcing the formal launch of the competition, the Director-General of
the Governor’s Cup 2015 project and Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade
and Investment, Mr. Cyril Akika, explained that, the event is aimed at
integrating and empowering youths as well as fostering peace and unity across
the State.
Lamenting the dearth of Bayelsa-born footballers at national and
international levels, despite the State being blessed with abundant talents, he
stated that, the competition, which is the first of its kind is also intended
to discover talents at the grassroot level that can be groomed to represent
both the State and Country in the future.
According to the Director-General, apart from the One Hundred and Five
wards, it will feature teams from the State owned Niger Delta university,
Amassoma, Federal Univeristy, Otuoke, Bayelsa State College of Art and Science,
Elebele, College of Education, Sagbama, Federal Polythecnic Ekowe, College of
Health Technology, Otuogidi, Ogbia and the Creek Haven All Stars, Yenagoa.
Mr. Akika disclosed that, the draws and formal unveiling of the
tournament’s mascot have been scheduled to hold on the 28th of this month, with
the kick off slated for the 4th of June, 2015, at the new Nembe City stadium.
The competition will also feature matches in ten other venues across the
State, with the final match to hold at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex,
Yenagoa, on the 2nd of August 2015.
A total of N50m will be won in prizes, with the winners to go home with
a cash prize of five million naira and an 18-seater bus, while the first runner
up will go home with three million naira and two million naira for the second
runner-up, alongside other consolation prizes for the Most Valuable Player,
Highest goals scorer and the Best goal-keeper of the tournament.
The statement also adds that, at the end of the competiton, twenty-two
players would be selected from the participating teams, and would be sent to
the Sia-One Football Academy, Abuja, from where they will undertake a playing
tour of a selected foreign country, among other benefits, such as educational
scholarships.
Mr. Akika, who is also the Special adviser to the Governor on Trade and
investment, stressed that the project would be driven by the private sector in
collaboration with the State Government, as he called on interested
individuals, corporate bodies, captains of Industry to partner with them, as the
competition will equally serve as a means of curbing youth restiveness.
The Director-General further explained that, the kick off of the tournament
will be preceeded by a series of activities, including a press conference
scheduled to hold on Thursday, 14th May, 2015, mascot designing and
unveiling competition, presentation of trophy as well as a fund-raising dinner
and the draws on the 28th of May and the presentation of kits to
participating teams.
While urging the youths to grab this life-changing opportunity and ensure
that, they participate, the Director-General, also called on them to be
responsible and eschew any form of violence that could cause unrest in their
various communities, but should always, explore the numerous avenues provided
by the Dickson administration, to better their lives.
Ono K. Akpe
Deputy Director General (Head Media)
Governor Seriake Dickson's Cup 2015
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