Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson has said plans are being intensified to introduce Ofurumapepe Football Club into the Nigerian league in coming weeks and months.
This is even as the former Bayelsa State governor insists that sports is a critical sector to be left in the hand of government alone.
Speaking at the event to mark the close of Ofurumapepe unity cup 2021 sponsored by Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation recently in Sagbama Township Stadium, Bayelsa state, the federal lawmaker stressed that the football club when introduced will contribute significantly in the economic empowerment of Bayelsa and Nigerian youths, adding that it will further help in reducing youth restiveness, crime and social vices to the barest minimum.
While congratulating all the themes for their participation in the Ofurumapepe football tournament and for maintaining peace while the two months competition lasted, Odoni Community emerge Champions, Torugbene came 2nd while, Isampou came 3rd.
He hinted that the plan to roll out Ofurumapepe FC is the expand the opportunities for youth participation in sports for national development.
Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, Joined distinguished Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson for the finals in Sagbama Township Stadium.
“My Foundation also intends to start the Ofurumapepe Football Club itself. So in this state, we are going to have a private club together with the state-owned team.
“We know that we have the Bayelsa Football Club but in the next couple of weeks or months, we will be having the Ofurumapepe Football Club also and I believe there will still be room for more.
“More of this should come on board so that our young people can have an opportunity to be either here or there.
“With the state-owned Bayelsa FC being at the top, that is if they can maintain their position at the top, because we are going to challenge them, Ofurumapepe Football Club will be there as serve as a window of opportunity for youths to express their talents in football and other areas of sporting. This way, crime will be significantly reduced”, he hinted.
Sen. Dickson while stating that the football tournament would avail the organising committee to harvest new talents in football expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, members of the state traditional ruler’s council, leaders of PDP in the state and others for their support which made the competition a huge success.
The former governor also called on well-meaning Bayelsa indigenes and corporate organisations to join efforts in the development of grassroot sports in the state, insisting that the state alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of developing sports to the needed height.
He commended the state government for its investment in wrestling which he said has produced more champions than some countries.
Sen. Dickson also reiterated the readiness of his non-governmental organisation, Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation to partner with the government of Bayelsa State to develop young talents in wrestling who will hold swear as the older hands retire.
The Ofurumapepe football tournament which kicked off on Sunday 21 November saw about 76 communities that make up Bayelsa West Senatorial District slug it out in the round leather game.
