The 3rd Gov Douye Diri International scouting exercise has kicked off in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State Capital with over 17 teams within and outside the state featuring at the program.

The scouting program, which is being spornorsed by the Bayelsa State government in collaboration with SPOCS Sporting Consultants, Germany, and Red Sapphire Ltd Abuja is targeted to discover talents that would play in the various National teams in the future.

While declaring the scouting exercise open, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, said the Prosperity administration is keen in seeing youths in the State earn a leaving through sports, pointing out that the state in the last three years has outwitted  many states in the country to rank second in Sports.

Hon. Igali explained that the target of the state is to go beyond it's current position next year, urging all the lads to make use of the  opportunity as good ambassadors.

He lauded Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for investing in the youths positively as well as giving them the enabling environment to display their talents describing the program as commendable.

Geoff Lockhart the immediate past Newcastle United lead Scout and Wolverhampton, asserted that with the caliber of young stars he has seen so far  he is optimistic of seeing these set of players in various National team in the future, stating that he is looking forward to witness a fruitful scouting program.

Also, SPOCS Nigeria Director, Agbejoye Gbenga Victor, remarked that they are in Bayelsa state to identify talents within Bayelsa an it's environs due to record of great players produced by the state, and said he is positive that the program would bring more Samson Siasia, Victory Beniangba and Robert Mizo.

Gbenga urged other state governments in the country to emulate what Bayelsa state  government is doing to engage the youths with series of grassroots programs.

Dinamo Moscow of Russia Jovan Tanasijevic and Borel Moukoko, commended the government and the organizers for coming up with the initiative to market the lads to the  world.

The convener of the scouting program and Director General of the Bayelsa state Governor's Football Tournament, tagged the 'Prosperity Cup', Ono Akpe  said the successes recorded by the state was as a result of the governor's appointment of square pegs in square holes in the sports sector, stressing that the Prosperity administration has given hopes to local footballers to play abroad.

Akpe explained that with continuous hosting of the Prosperity Cup, many youths have been taken off social vices and criminal related activities in the state.

He appreciated governor Douye Diri and his Deputy Senator Lawrence, commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Chief Daniel Igali for the unparallel love given to sports since he assumed office as the state helmsman.

Meanwhile, the participating teams at the tournament include Bayelsa Starlets FC, Crusaders Feeders FC, Champions of the Prosperity Cup, EGM FC, Dream Boys FA, Bayelsa Utd Team B, Kingdom Stars FC, Afini FC, Bayelsa Stars FA and BYSGFCA Selected FC.

The invited teams outside Bayelsa to participate in the scouting event are Jobi FC of Imo State, Boma Kings FC of Rivers State, Erema  Jackson of Porthacourt, Rivers State, Brighter Sports FC of Gbaramatu, Delta State, Excellence FC of Delta State, and Dynamo Academica FC of Edo State and Ndame Football Academy of Kwale, Delta State.