Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.
Otuasega Community at the weekend defeated Otuokpti by a lone goal to win the maiden edition of the Governor Dickson Ogbia Unity Cup.
The final match watched by dignitaries from across the state elicited so much excitement that Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd) directed the state’s Ministry of Sports Development to include the competition, popularly called the Ogbia Challenge, in the state’s sports calendar.
He also directed that similar events should be replicated in every Local Government Area of the state.
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Speaking after the match held at the Opume playing ground in Ogbia Council, the deputy governor said the football competition falls in line with the government’s policy of youth engagement with a view to steering them away from such notorious vices as crime, drug and cultism.
He said that the Governor Dickson-led administration is committed to promoting progammes that would project the well-being of the youth since the future of the state lies in their proper upbringing, explaining that the state government’s investment in the construction of stadia and other sporting facilities across the state is part of its efforts at ensuring that the latent talent of the Bayelsa youths are groomed to blossom in a way that will make stars out of them.
Earlier, the chairperson, Ogbia Local Council Caretaker Committee, Mrs. Naomi Ogoli said the positive engagement of youth may ultimately be a potent tool at crime fighting, adding that the crime rate in Ogbia dropped drastically during the three-week event.
She also expressed her willingness to partner with good spirited individuals and corporate organizations in sponsoring sporting and skill acquisition programmes with a view to make the youth productive and self-reliant.
Source: G Sport
