…as Curtain Falls on Tournament…
The organisers of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, have noted with satisfaction that the competition is beginning to yield results after years of dedicated efforts and investment in the tournament.
Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, stated this while addressing the news media in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, ahead of Friday’s showdown at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
He remarked that he was pleased that after years of investments in the tournament, Bayelsans are beginning to see the dividends of the competition, stating that the organisers were working around the clock to ensure that players who participated in the competition are properly managed by the state Football Association.
According to him, the number of players from the tournament in Bayelsa United and other Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs speaks volumes about how the Prosperity Cup has continued to be a platform for grassroots footballers to unleash their potential and realise their dreams.
The DG hinted that over 540 goals have been scored so far in the tournament from 224 matches played at 26 centres across the eight local government areas of the state, averaging an impressive 2.4% of goals per game.
He explained that 231 teams participated in this year’s tournament, pointing out that 27 teams registered in the women’s version of the competition, with 20 teams participating because some of the teams did not meet the deadline for registration, adding that both Afini Ladies and Ezuogha Soccer Academy deserved to be in the final of the women’s event.
Mr. Akpe stated that the excitement of the tournament will start on Thursday with the losers’ final by 1.00 pm as Bayelsa Stars Queens FC of Yenagoa battles Bayelsa State School of Nursing Sciences, BYSCON Queens of Tombia, while Bayelsa United Feeders will face former champions, Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene, Ekeremor.
The DG further explained that the grand finale will come up on Friday, 13th June, 2025, with the female final between Afini Ladies of Amarata and Ezuogha Soccer Academy, before the men’s final between Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC and Advance Dreams FA, both of Yenagoa.
Dignitaries expected at the finals include Mr Akpe said the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko; and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade, who will be in Yenagoa for the final.
Other guests that would be gracing the occasion are Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service; Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL; George Aluo, Chairman Nigeria National League, NNL, and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National League, NNL; and Danlami Alanana, amongst others.
Responding to questions, Mr. Akpe pointed out that fifty million naira (#50,000,000) has been set aside for the winners of this year’s edition, with the winner of the men’s tournament to smile home with ten million naira (#10,000,000), the first runner-up will get five million naira (#5,000,000), while the third position will go home with two million naira (#2,000,000), and 4th place will receive one million naira (#1,000,000) and five hundred thousand naira (#500,000) as a consolation prize.
The women’s champion will take home #5,000,000, the first runner-up #2,000,000, while third position will get #1,500,000, 4th place #1,000,000 and #500,000 as a consolation prize.
