Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri was on Thursday presented a branded jersey of the Prosperity Cup heralding the sign of things to come in season six of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle; the Bayelsa State Governor’s Football Tournament.
The presentation was done by the DG Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, Ono Akpe during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium. With the governor during the walk were the leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Monday Bubou-Obolo, member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Hon A. Egba, the Chief of Staff Government House, Hon Peter Akpe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Iroro Komonibo, the Head of Service, Barr Biobelemoye Charkes-Onyeama, former commissiiner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Daniel Igali, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and other top government functionaries.
After the jersey presentation the governor was also presented with trophies for the Male, Female and Para Soccer tournaments. The Leader of the House, Rt Hon Monday Obolo presented the Male Soccer Trophy while Hon Egba presented the Female Soccer Trophy. The Para Soccer Trophy was presented by the Head of Service
Last year, Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretrogbene won the Tournament trophy after a pulsating final match with , a spectacle that had the crème de la crème of the Nigeria football President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Nigeria National League NNL Chairman Mr. George Aluo, NNL Chief Operating Officer Mr.Emmanuel Adesanya, Chief Executive of NNL Emmanuel Attah, NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavien.
This year’s Prosperity Cup cup is expected to kick-off in May with the organizers putting final touches to ensure a record breaking 2024 tournament. Preceding the kick-off is the presentation of jerseys to teams on the 18th of April followed by draws for the first round of matches coming up on the 25th of April.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa who spoke shortly after the ceremony, said this edition would surpass the previous editions, stating that the Ministry in collaboration with LOC is prepared to give Nigerians the best of grassroot football.
Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, noted that over two hundred teams are expected to participate in the tournament this year, pointing out that the male edition is now open to all amateur players in the State.
He affirmed that the tournament which is three-in-one, following the precedence set last year the male, female and para soccer would continue this year with, noting that the essence of the inclusion of the female edition was to consolidate on the exploit of Bayelsa Queens and produce players for the female national teams.
While appreciating the Almighty God for bringing the tournament thus far, he lauded Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for giving the showpiece an international outlook with commendations coming from all over the world
Also, Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboro, noted that this year’s edition would expose more players from Bayelsa State to the world with the involvement of more foreign scouts.
Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Mrs. Chichi Umeseaka, asserted that more female teams would participate in the tournament this year, calling on the private sector and multinational oil companies to join the governor in engaging the youths positively with sports.
