The Federal Government has commended the contributions of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, gave the commendation during the finals of the 6th edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened Prosperity Cup, which was held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Senator Enoh, who witnessed the final games between NDU Queens and Peremo Academy in the female category, as well as the male category between Ogboinbiri of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and Nembe City of Nembe Local Government Area, noted that since becoming minister, Governor Diri had been a recurring figure in Nigeria’s sports sector.
The Sports Minister said Governor Diri has continued to encourage and sponsor the growth of football and other sports not only in Bayelsa but also has been very supportive of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
He stated that the motto of the Prosperity Cup, “Taking Sports Development To The Grassroots,” resonates with the determination of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to bring back its zonal offices across the country, stressing that the future of sports lies in the grassroots.
He said: “Since becoming Minister of Sports, I have found one governor that has been a recurring figure in Nigeria’s sports sector, and he is the Governor of Bayelsa State.
Wherever I have gone to, this governor keeps recurring. He keeps providing support, encouragement, and sponsorship, particularly when Nigeria competed in AFCON. He is one governor that made a commitment to the team and redeemed it immediately.
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has the Commissioner for Sports in Bayelsa, Daniel Igali, as president.
This governor has done more for that federation than anyone else. I am supposed to leave for Germany tomorrow to be with our Olympic team, but I said I must be here, and I am glad I came.
Senator Enoh said with over 200 teams registered for the tournament, the Prosperity Cup was a model that other states should copy.
Dignitaries at the closing ceremonies included the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, represented by his Sports Commissioner, Mr. Yusuf Ali, who commended the Bayelsa government for the football tournament and for giving sports a pride of place not only in the state but nationally.
