The Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, has continued to be the bedrock of many grassroots players in Bayelsa in the last seven years of the tournament’s existence.
Prosperity Cup has given many players the platform to showcase their talents, with some playing trade in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and foreign clubs.
The latest player to enjoy the Prosperity Cup benevolence is Precious Benjamin. Benjamin was discovered from the season five of the tournament after dazzling for Dream Football Academy now called Advance Dreams FA.
Precious was an attacking sensation during the tournament and the toast of fans and scouts in the SPOCS scouting programme at Remo, Ogun State and in the 3rd Douye Diri International Scouting Tournament in Yenagoa, thereafter he moved to Gambian league, where he put up a brilliant performance before joining German Bundesliga side, TSG Hoffenheim after a brief stint in Gambia.
Okardi Inikurogha in the maiden edition in 2015 won the tournament with Ewo-ama FC Brass LGA and emerged Most Valuable Player of the competition, Okardi was signed by Bayelsa United where he helped the team win the Aiteo Cup in 2021 in Benin City, Edo State.
Robert Mizo participated in the 2015 edition then called Restoration Cup, scored double hat trick against Bayelsa State College of Education at Otuasega but his team was knocked out in the next round by Emeyal 2 FC.
Bayelsa United captain, Gabriel Biriduba Tarabina Bweribo and Emo James were signed by Bayelsa United in 2017 winning the competition for Peretrogbene FC of Ekeremor LGA.
Last year, Rivers United secured the services of Handsome Surveyor from Crusaders FC of Peretrogbene during the Governor Douye Diri pre season tournament in Yenegoa.
Endurance Ebedebiri, Saro Loveday, Ayiba Edwin, Akpos Godbless, Junior Christopher and John Bassey who joined Bayelsa United Odioma FC a community off the coast of the atlantic ocean in Brass LGA.
Current NPFL champion, Remo Stars of Ikenne also has the Prosperity Cup product in his team. Oyowa Alex featured in the 2018 and 2019 edition with Okodia team where he showcased his skills, and got snapped up by Bayelsa United. He moved to Rivers United in 2022/2023 season, before signing for Remo Stars where he just won the league.
Other players are Joel Izibevie Nestor who is currently in Bosnia, Prince Court who had a brief stint with a Latvian club, and Egah Saviour who featured for a Moroccan side.
