SPORTS
How Sports Can Curb Youth Restiveness – Bayelsa Deputy Gov
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, has described sports, and football in particular, as a sure means of curbing youth restiveness.
The Deputy Governor stated this while flagging off the third edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament otherwise known as Restoration Cup at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Commending the organisers for putting the competition together, the state’s number two man stressed that organising a tournament with 161 teams participating was unprecedented.
His words: “A tournament with 161 teams is not an easy thing. The advantage to us is that it goes down to every corner of the state.
When they say talent hunt, this best explains it.“Youths everywhere in the country exhibit lots of energy and if you don’t direct that energy well, they will direct it. One of the areas that is like a religion in Nigeria is football. So, when you have every corner or almost every community involved in football, you are actually solving a problem.”
The Sports Commissioner, Perekiye Buruboyefe, commended sponsors and individuals who contributed toward the competition.
“As you are aware, we have had this competition twice before now. The first one we had the finals in Nembe and the second finals we had it here. I just want to say we will see beautiful football throughout this competition,” he said.
Director General of the Restoration Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, in his remarks, highlighted the positives of the Restoration Cup since its maiden edition, especially the Restoration Starlets that finished third at the African Youth Cup in Cape Verde as well as the team’s exploits in the Bayelsa State League, where the young lads emerged winners.
“From our research, we have discovered that this is the biggest grassroots football competition in the entire country. So, we must salute His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson because from the first edition who he threw his weight behind it having realised the strength and
beauty of football and the unifying factor it brings. He has given us all the support to get to this third edition.”
The opening game between Igbogene community and Aluku Dynamics of Biseni community saw the latter pick the first victory of the tournament after humiliating their opponent five goals to nil.
Aluku Dynamics dominated the entire game and progressed to the next round with goals from Greatman Johnson, Binaemi Dena, Paul Godswill, Nyesi Agunowei, and Oyowah Alex.
Nigeria’s Flamingos will leave for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday ahead of the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Guinea.
A total of 36 players are currently in the team’s camp, though the squad is expected to be trimmed before departing for Abidjan.
The Flamingos arrived in Ikenne last week Sunday for the final phase of their preparations.
Akeem Busari’s side thrashed Lakeside Queens FA 5-0 in their first friendly in Ikenne last Thursday.
Guinea will host the first leg of the second qualifying round tie at their makeshift home ground in Abidjan on Saturday.
The reverse fixture is slated for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne on Saturday, 30 May.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on Lakeside Queens in a friendly match in Ikenne on Thursday as they intensify preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea.
It will be the Flamingos’ first friendly since arriving in Ikenne for the final phase of their preparations for the qualifying fixtures.
Akeem Busari’s side played five friendly matches in Abuja before travelling to Ikenne.
They secured four victories and one draw from their five friendly games.
The team is expected to play more friendly games before taking on the Guineans.
Guinea will host the first leg in Conakry on Sunday, May 24.
The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, a week later.
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