Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri has expressed the readiness of his administration to reposition the state owned football teams, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens.
To this end, the governor has directed his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo to immediately set up a substantive board to run the affairs of the both clubs.
He gave the directive in his office in Yenagoa during the presentation of new sets of jerseys to Bayelsa United for the 2020/2021 season.
Diri said his administration will continue to invest in sports because of its socio-economic importance to the state and commended Exxosports for its effort to rebrand Bayelsa United.
The governor stated that all over the world, sports is mainly driven by private sector enterprises and in Bayelsa, his government is open to partnerships that will grow the sports industry.
Sen. Diri who himself was a Commissioner for Sports in the state, urged Exxosports to extend the kitting of Bayelsa United to Bayelsa Queens to make the two team look more colorful during matches.
He assured that with the commitment of his government, he has no doubt that Bayelsa United will return to the Nigeria Professional Football League while Bayelsa Queens will win the Nigeria Women Premier league at the end of the season.
While stressing the need for privileged individuals and organizations to invest in sports in the state, Diri promised the two teams of a brand new bus to enable them travel comfortably for away games.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali said
It is the first time in the history of the state’s sporting history to have a kit sponsor for a football team in Bayelsa.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer Exxosports, Mr.Luper Anaka revealed that the company decided to choose Bayelsa United because of the love the state government has shown in sports development.
He disclosed that the state government spends about N10million every year to buy kits for athletes especially for footballers and thanked Exxosports for the offer.
