Senator Dickson Unveils Ufurumapepe Cup

         Senator Representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Henry Seriake Dickson on Friday, 12th November 2021 officially unveiled the Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, tagged " Ufurumapepe Cup" According to him, the tournament is aimed at youth empowerment and grassroot. Sen. Dickson insisted that this was a fulfilment of the promises he made to the people while in government as the Governor of Bayelsa state to prioritise Sports development in the state. 

“Through the Henry Seriake Dickson foundation, the lives of youths in the state will be transformed through Sports which will bring youth restiveness, cult activities and other vices to it’s barest minimum, Dicksom said. He explained that the records has shown that sports were one of the projects he took seriously as the Governor adding that the tournament will among others encourage the development of grassroot sports and apart from football, traditional wrestling, swimming will also be introduced considering the terrain of the state. 

  “As a Governor, we promoted sports development, we took wrestling to the National Award stage and I am happy to mention that most of our Athletes are doing well and they benefited from that program. So, the ofurumapepe football competition is hereby unveiled. “With the Ofurumapepe Cup, our dream of promoting grassroot sports development did not end with my tenure as a Governor, as I promised through the Henry Seriake Dickson foundation we will continue with this laudable objective. “By next week our local organising team will be meeting with all the community youths in the Bayelsa west senatorial district and all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the best results are achieved as expected’’ he stated. With the theme “Youth Empowerment for Peace and Development,” the sports loving senator explained that football and traditional wrestling has been expressively harnessed by his administration adding that the cup instituted was in honour of his late father who was a maiden wrestling champion.

 He however called on youths in the region to actively identify with the ofurumapepe football tournament and channel their very productive energy towards initiatives that will develop their minds and body. “I also want to use this opportunity to call for peace in all our communities as the youths come out in mass to participate. I call for the spirit of sportsmanship there will be no losers at the end of the events. I also want to call on all our security agencies to support this initiative” he said. On his part, Mr Ono Akpe the technical consultant of the Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament and Ofurumapepe Cup while enumerating the various prizes that are up for grabs said the unveiling at the grassroots level will begin on Wednesday 17th of November with the selection of teams and presentation of jerseys and Sports kits  to team members in the 76 communities that make up Bayelsa West Senatorial District, the kick off proper will commence on Sunday 21st of this month at Ekeremor LGA while the finals is slated to take place at Toro-oruwa on Wednesday  22nd of December.   Communities are expected to get  forms for their teams from the Constituency office of Senator Dickson through the Chairman of the Local Organising Committtee, Mr Tony Ogola or the Secretary, Mr Job Makka. Forms would be sold for N2000 only.   The Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament shall  be an annual tournament for youths in Bayelsa West Senatorial District.