Siasia lauds Bayelsa govt’s support for grassroots football
A former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia yesterday applauded Bayelsa State government’s support for talents at the grassroot through various football competitions, stating that the on-going Governor Seriake Dickson’s Tournament, tagged “Restoration Cup Season Two” was a welcome development.
He made the commendation in Yenagoa at the official draws for the round of 16 of the tourney and his unveiling and presentation ceremony as the Ambassador of Restoration Football Tournament.
Siasia therefore stressed the importance of grassroots sport development to talent discovery, which could not be over emphasised and assured the state government of his support to train discovered talents from the competition.
“The game of football is a big business and I am very happy over the initiative of Bayelsa state government, in using the football tournament as a platform to identity and groom young ones at the grassroots level.
“Hopefully, the gesture will go a long way in fishing out the talents to play for national and foreign football clubs. I thank the organisers of this tournament for making me the Ambassador of the Competition and I pledge to do more for the development of sporting activities in the state,” the former Eagles coach said.
The Director General of the Restoration Cup, Mr Onoriode Akpe, described the 2018 edition of the tournament as outstanding, noting that he had been overwhelmed by the skills so far displayed.
Akpe, who also said that he was satisfied with the level of discipline and talents exhibited by the participating teams said that eight hat-tricks have been recorded only in the first round of the competition.