Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, (rtd) at the weekend in Yenagoa took the ceremonial kick off of the second edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, tagged Restoration Cup 2018.
The kick off which had in attendance notable personalities including sport analysts within and outside the state witnessed an encounter between Agudama- Epie and Onopa communities. It ended three nil in favour of the former.
Rear Admiral Jonah enjoined the youth to eschew violence and other vices, rather they should deplore their energies to profitable venture.
He warned them against being used by self centred politicians, especially now that the 2019 general elections is around the corner.
Speaking in the same vein, the Bayelsa Sports Commissioner, Perekiye Buruboyefe, lauded the vision of the competition just as he called on the 136 participating teams to be peaceful, which he stressed was part of the aim of the competition.
He called on youths in the state to be law abiding and take advantage of the numerous policies and programmes of the Governor Seriake Dickson administration, such as the Restoration Cup, to better their lot.
The opening match produced a hat-trick by Junior Christopher of Agudama Epie who went home with the match ball.
The recipient commended the organisers of the competition for giving him the opportunity to showcase his skills.
He expressed his team’s readiness to win the tournament and said he plans to be among the best players from the competition
Highpoint of the kickoff was the reading of the tournament’s pledge by captain of the Onopa team on behalf of the participants, which is to ensure a cultism-free, drug abuse-free and violence-free Bayelsa.