European scouts thumb up Nigerian players' performances at Governor Douye Diri/SPOCS International Scouting programme in Bayelsa

Posted : 03 November 2023

No fewer than ten players, including a goalkeeper, have been selected in the just-concluded 3rd Governor Douye Diri/SPOCS International Scouting Program in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

The four-day event, which concluded at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, witnessed the screening of several players who may be on their way to signing professional deals with football clubs abroad.

After the conclusion of the scouting program, Mr. Gbenga Agbejoye, the Director of SPOCS International, a renowned sports scouting firm, described Bayelsa as a state blessed with an array of talents that need to be nurtured and taken overseas for professional playing careers. He also praised State Governor Senator Douye Diri for his passion for youth development through sports, particularly football, and highlighted that the selected players have proven the state's talent hunt prowess.

"The quality we have seen so far is top-notch; I want to say it has confirmed that Bayelsa is the home of football. The last three days have showcased players of superior quality, even surpassing those in the NPFL. For instance, the last game played today was far better than the one between Bayelsa United and Kwara United. I can say these players are heading to great places, and I believe in the quality I have witnessed. I'm confident that in the next three months, you will see these players making headlines."

Head of Scouting at SPOCS, representing Newcastle, Wolverhampton, and Watford of England, Lockhart Geoff, expressed pride in his experience in Bayelsa, particularly in terms of the talents and hospitality.

"The tempo of the games was competitive, and you could see the players' desire and hunger to impress and secure the opportunity to go to Europe. We have identified some very talented players whom we believe can succeed in Europe."

German Scout, Mr. Borel Moukoko, also expressed delight with the scouting program, stating that he has witnessed players with great potential and quality capable of competing in any European league.

Deputy Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Emmanuel Appah, on behalf of the Director General, Ono Akpe, thanked the Governor for promoting grassroots football and welcoming foreign scouts to hunt for talents in the state. He emphasized the quality displayed by the players and the scouts' appreciation of it, expressing optimism about the players signing with major European clubs.

Some players and coaches, such as Precious Christopher and Peter Prince of Bayelsa Starlets, Egah Saviour of Bayelsa United Team B, and Taofeek Oluwasegun of Excellent FC Ughelli, expressed their joy at playing in front of foreign scouts. They viewed it as a dream come true and an opportunity for young talents aspiring to play abroad.

Inspired by idols like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kanu Nwankwo, Kevin De Bruyne, Reece James, and others, the players expressed their hopes of playing top-flight football in other parts of the world within the next four to five years.

Chike Akujobi, the Chief Executive Officer of Jobi Sports Academy in Owerri, Imo State, commended Governor Senator Douye Diri for his significant support for football and sports, emphasizing the importance of sports in engaging and empowering youths.

The scouting program featured eighteen teams, including ten from Bayelsa and eight from Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Imo States.

The highlight of the final day was the presentation of a cash award of fifty thousand naira to Rachael Onyekwere for her outstanding performance as the center referee by the SPOCS team led by Gbenga Agbejoye, while the assistant referees also received a fifty thousand naira award.

The program is an initiative of the Prosperity Government of Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, under the supervision of the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, and coordinated by the Director General of Bayelsa State Governor's Football Tournament, Ono Akpe, in collaboration with SPOCS Sporting Consultants, Germany, and Red Sapphire Ltd, Abuja.

The scouting program concluded with a novelty match between the Local Organizing Committee of the scouting program, alongside the scouts, and a selected All-Stars team.

European scouts thumb up Nigerian players' performances at Governor Douye Diri/SPOCS International Scouting programme in Bayelsa

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