… Urges Bayelsa Queens to Surpass Previous Record
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government says it will give Bayelsa Queens every necessary support to ensure that the club becomes the first team in Nigeria to lift the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance at a get-together with players, coaches and management of the team after their heroic performance in the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL in Ikenne, Ogun State.
He noted that he was pleased with the team’s show of dexterity throughout the regular season that saw them unbeaten till their triumph at the Super Six, maintaining that their victory was as a result of their determination and hard work.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured the team that the government would do everything possible to ensure that the girls conquer Africa, having won the WAFU Zone B trophy in Cote d’Ivoire in 2022, urging them not to rest on their oars.
While congratulating the team for their brilliant outing throughout the season, the deputy governor opined that the last two editions of the competition were an affirmation that Bayelsa Queens are the best team in the nation.
According to him, the Prosperity administration remains committed to using sports as a tool to check crime and criminality and will continue to invest in sports development to empower the youths.
He directed the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali to institutionalize the best player award for both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens at the end of every season, saying that the initiative would spur the players to give their very best.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo announced a cash reward of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) to the Most Valuable Player of the season, Dooshima Tarnum, while Alaba Olabiyi received the Best Attacker award with fifty thousand naira (N50,000).
Jennifer Oliver got the Best Defender, Monle Omini Best Goalkeeper, Vera Samuel smiled home with the Best Teammate award and Arit Itu, as the Funniest Teammate, all receiving fifty thousand naira (N50,000) each.
His word: “I want to commend you for your determination and dominance, no doubt when people match their determination with effort it translates to success. That is what you have shown.
“If you don’t come home as CAF Women’s champions, it’s because you don’t want to come back with it, because there’s nothing there that would make you not to come back home with it. So put on your fighting spirit, tenacity and determination to achieve it.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, who thanked the deputy governor for honouring Bayelsa Queens, equally lauded the girls for the victory, urging them to be focused and be worthy ambassadors of the country.
Also speaking, Chairman of Bayelsa Queens, Pastor Robin Apreala, assured Bayelsans that the “Prosperity Girls” would give a good representation in the CAF Women’s Champions League, adding that preparation for the WAFU Zone B has already commenced.
