Gov. Dickson’s Cup: 16 teams reach second round

Sixteen teams have qualified for the crucial stage of the Governor Seriake Dickson football tournament, tagged: “Restoration Cup Season 2’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 16 teams emerged in Yenagoa after the rescheduled game between Kalawei-ama Community and Ebikiri-ama Community played on Wednesday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.
Kalawei-ama community edged out Ibikiri-ama 3-1 to qualify for the round of 16.
The qualified teams include: Okpoma and Bua-ama from Brass Local Government Area, Nembe City and Opu Nembe from Nembe LGA, Ayakoro-ama and Kaiama from Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.
Others are: Azikoro and Ekpetiama in Yenagoa LGA, Otuasega and Otuokpoti from Ogbia LGA, Adagbabiri and Toru-Orua from Sagbama LGA, Peretorugbene and Agge from Ekeremor LGA and Amassoma and Kalawei-ama trom Southern Ijaw LGA.
NAN reports that a total of 135 teams, including three tertiary institutions, one news organisation, one religious organisation, Government House team and the Nigerian Air Force registered for the 2018 competition.
Ono Akpe, Director-General of the Football Competition, said on Thursday that plans had been concluded for the draws to kick off the second round and the presentation of Siasia as the tournament’s Ambassador.
Akpe said the draws would be holding on Thursday at Chief DSP Alamieyeiseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
Akpe said: “The event features the public presentation of the tournament’s Ambassador, Samson Siasia, a foremost indigene of Bayelsa, former Super Eagles player and coach of the Nigerian national team.
“The choice of Siasia as the tournament’s Ambassador is based on the strategic importance of promoting a Bayelsa brand that is very rooted in the dynamics of the game.
“We also want to achieve our goal, which is to expose the players that would be eventually selected from the competition.
“After the competition, Siasia will among other things engage selected players in a mentoring and capacity building programme so as to equip them with some basics of playing professional football.’’