Stakeholders in the sports sector have described governor Douye Diri as a blessing to Bayelsa State following the unprecedented achievements recorded in the sector under his watch as governor.

While speaking ahead of the scouting exercise organized by the sponsors of the Bayelsa State Governor's Football Tournament in collaboration with SPOCS Sporting Consultants, Germany, and Red Sapphire Ltd Abuja, said Governor Douye Diri is the best thing that has happened to Bayelsa in sports.

Chairman of the Local organizing committee of the scouting exercise, Perela Aboro, noted that Bayelsa is lucky to have Diri as governor due to his drive in ensuring that youths are off the streets and other cult related activities, pointing out that the scouting program was another way of engaging the lads.

Aboro popularly known as Uncle-P, recalled that the likes of Victor Osimhen are products of such scouting programs, noting that the essence of the scouting program is  to give  young footballers a better life through football describing the idea of the organizers of the Prosperity cup as superb.

He asserted that the exercise would benefit the state owned team Bayelsa United, who already have a product of the Prosperity Cup, John Bassey in the Prosperity Boys squad.

Another stakeholder and former Calabar Rovers gaffer, George Ederekumor hailed the organizers and particularly the governor for giving the youths in the state the opportunity to showcase their talents.

A grassroots coach and Chief Executive Officer of Kingdom Stars FA, Ikporo Alfred, remarked that he has had confidence in the governor since  he assumed office as the state helmsman in delivering the best in the sporting sector for the state and Nigeria as a whole given his background as a former commissioner for sports, noting that the laudable achievements of the state is a reflection of the governor's passion for sports.

The coach opined that the scouting program would give Bayelsa more positive publicity, especially the players who intend to earn a living through football, urging the players to make use of the opportunity.

Two grassroots coaches, Daniel Ugolo of Winchester City of Opolo and Godspower John of Bayelsa Stars FA, stated that since the creation of Bayelsa that they were yet to witness a governor who is passionate about the development of sports like Senator Diri, stressing that relative peace enjoyed by  Bayelsans was as a result of the youths being engaged in sports.

The duo added that the engagement of the youths in sports has helped young Bayelsans to be productive and not involved in cultism and social vices that are capable of cutting their lives short, pledging their support for the re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri.

They expressed confidence that the governor would do more in sports if re-elected as governor, having changed the narrative in the sports sector with Bayelsa now being described as the hub of sports in Nigeria.

In the meantime, screening of teams for the 3rd Douye Diri International scouting programme is presently ongoing at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa.

According to the convener of the program, Ono Akpe Director General of Bayelsa State Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, the scouting programme proper would commence on Monday 30th October with the arrival of scouts from abroad on Sunday 29th October 2023.

Mr Akpe appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Sports Development Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali, for their unfledging commitment   towards giving Bayelsan youths better life through sports.