‎By David Owei,Bayelsa
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Warri Wolves will battle Bendel Insurance in the final of the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament on Saturday ahead of the August 22nd kick-off of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
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The players final of the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament

‎The Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament has in the last few days witnessed beautiful football from four NPFL teams, Warri Wolves, Kun Khalifat, Bendel Insurance and Bayelsa United as well as Prosperity Cup champions, Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC and Bayelsa U-20 side.

Players

Players posing for Bayelsa final tournament

In one of the semi-final matches between Insurance and Bayelsa United U-20, ‎Isaac Omijie opened the floodgate of goals from the Benin Arsenals on 15 minute from a beautiful finish, making it his third goal in the competition.
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‎The host Bayelsa United U-20 team however posed some threats to the Benin Arsenals but the very-composed Insurance side continued their pressure on Bayelsa United U-20 team, who look solid in the first half. Adewale Adebayo on 64 minute added another to make it two nil for the coach Greg Ikhenoba-tutored side.
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‎Elmer Arunta on 71 minute compounded the woes of Bayelsa United U-20 as he took advantage of a spilled ball from the goalkeeper to calmly slot it in to make it three nil in favour of the Benin Arsenals.
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‎In the second match of the day, Warri Wolves humbled host Bayelsa United by two unreplied goals to advance to the final. An own goal from Arise Ogundare on 20 minute and Tejiri on 47 minute helped the Warri seasiders move into the final.
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‎Bayelsa United Head Coach, Meremu Okara in his post match reaction, said the competition has helped to know his team’s weaknesses, pointing that they are working round the clock to correct these lapses before the league commences.
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‎Warri Wolves technical adviser, Napoleon Alumua, noted that the tournament has helped them to perfect their plans, that he is pleased with his team’s performance.
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‎He appreciated the Bayelsa State Government and the organizers for putting the tournament together, pointing out that the competition has helped all the participating teams.
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‎Bendel Insurance technical adviser, Greg Ikhenoba in an interview asserted that he is pleased with the progress of his team, stressing that his players are adapting to his philosophy and pattern of play.
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‎The final of the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament comes up on Saturday, 16th August at 4.00p.m. at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Ministry of Sports Development, Staff of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, and friends of Sir Braveman Wodi have converged on the Multipurpose Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium to celebrate the Director of Sports, Bayelsa Sports Council on his retirement and birthday.

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‎Sir Braveman Wodi bowed out of service after 35 years of meritorious service, including numerous leadership roles and tremendous achievements as Director of Sports in the last five years.
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‎Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali in a remark, eulogized Sir Wodi as a man of integrity who placed premium attention on results rather than monetary gains and, stated that attendance of the retirement ceremony was a testament of a man who is loved by many.
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‎He noted that he has enjoyed a smooth working relationship with Sir Braveman Wodi since he assumed office as a commissioner, pointing out that he will miss his service and that the retired director made his job as commissioner easy, describing him as a meticulous man.
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‎According to him, Sir Wodi is the most committed person he has ever worked with and that he always provides solution to every situation, urging others to emulate his exemplary footprints of being result-oriented.
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‎He hinted that he would still be working with him even after his retirement and that the governor, Senator Douye Diri is pleased with Sir Wodi’s dedication and commitment to work, maintaining that the celebrant is one of the most trustworthy persons he has come across.
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‎Also, an elated wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Irene Wodi in her remark, thanked the Almighty God for the life of her husband, stressing that she is happy that he would be seeing more of her husband now that he has retired from service.
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‎A visibly satisfied Sir Braveman Wodi in an interview, thanked the entire staff of the Sports Council for the show of love towards him, adding that he never expected a colourful ceremony of that magnitude.
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‎He remarked that he would be leaving with a high sense of nostalgia having served meritoriously as Director of Sports, maintaining that it was not easy for him to combine work and family in the last few years, and that he would always remain grateful to God.
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‎In separate goodwill messages from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs Grace Alagoa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Chief Patimidi Tukuru, Head of Department Organizing, Mr. Andrew Aye, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Alaowei Opukume and Chairman Coaches Association, Mr. Doubara Otuku, described Sir Braveman Wodi as a thoroughbred administrator.
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‎The highpoint of the event was presentation of gifts to the celebrant as well as recitation of a poem by Diepreye Wodi, the son of the Director of Sports.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

In a significant milestone for the Prosperity Cup, two talented products of the tournament, Abidei Precious and Jacob Prince from Advanced Team Football Academy, have been invited for trials with the Aliyu Zubairu led U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, in Abuja. This development is a testament to the tournament’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing young football talent.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Ono Akpe, Director General of the Prosperity Cup, on behalf of the Central Organizing Committee (COC), the duo’s outstanding performance in the tournament caught the attention of key football officials, including the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, and NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen. Their impressive display earned them a call-up to the national team trial, a remarkable achievement for the young players.

The Prosperity Cup organizers have generously provided resources to facilitate the players’ trip to Abuja for the trial, underscoring their commitment to supporting emerging talent. Moreover, Mr. Akpe revealed that five female players from the Prosperity Cup have also been selected for the trial, with their names to be announced upon arrival in Abuja.

The Director General expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, coaches, and national team coaches for their support, highlighting the tournament’s potential to expose more Bayelsa youths to the world. He also welcomed teams participating in the Bayelsa Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, commending the Ministry of Sports Development for sustaining the initiative.

Appreciation was extended to Governor Senator Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, for their invaluable contributions to sports development in the state. Mr. Akpe emphasized the Prosperity Cup’s dream to see more players excel globally, thanking the NFF President and Technical Director for their immense support.

This achievement marks a significant step forward for the Prosperity Cup, solidifying its reputation as a platform for discovering and nurturing young football talent. As the tournament continues to produce talented players, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of Nigerian football.

In related news, a high-powered team of international scouts is set to visit Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for a 3-day international scouting program in September, further highlighting the state’s growing importance in Nigerian football. This program, part of the Governor Douye Diri International Scouting Tournament, aims to identify and develop young talents in the state, with potential opportunities for players to trial in Europe and other international destinations ¹.