Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that the state would soon become number one in sports in Nigeria following his administration’s investment in youth development and sports infrastructure.
Governor Diri spoke on Friday during the final of the 2025 Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
He said ahead of completion of a 25,000-capacity stadium, he had directed the Commissioner for Sports to bid for the state to host the National Sports Festival before he leaves office in 2028.
His words: “On behalf of your government, we will continue to invest in youths via sports development. That is why we are building a 25,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium.”
“We are very ambitious and the stadium will be completed in about two years. I have directed the Commissioner for Sports to bid for the National Sports Festival in 2028.
“We want to be number one in sports in Nigeria and I believe we can export football to the rest of the country and beyond. We are encouraged that football keeps our youths happy.“
The governor appreciated the tournament’s partners, which included the National Sports Commission, Nigeria Football Federation, Nigerian National League and the Nigerian Women Football League.
In the male category, Eternal Grace Ministries of Yenagoa, which defeated Advanced Dreams Academy, also of Yenagoa, 3-2 on penalties after a scoreless regulation time, got N10 million prize money while their opponents got N5 million.
Afini Ladies that won the female category also got N5 million while the runners up, Ezougha Football Academy, received N2.5 million.
