The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup, have noted with satisfaction that the competition is beginning to yield fruits after years of dedicated efforts and investment in the tournament.
Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe stated this while addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, ahead of Friday’s final 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 organizers were working round the clock to ensure that players that 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 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL clubs speaks volumes of how the Prosperity Cup has continued to be a platform for grassroot footballers to unleash their potential and realize 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 final of the women’s event.
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Mr. Akpe stated that the excitement of the tournament will start on Thursday with the losers’ final by 1.00pm as Bayelsa Stars Queens FC of Yenagoa battle 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 National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade 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, 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), first runner up will get five million naira (#5,000,000) while third position will go home with two million naira (#2,000,000), 4th place will receive one million naira (#1,000,000) and five hundred thousand naira (#500,000) as consolation prize.
The women’s champion will take home #5,000,000, first runner up #2,000,000 while third position will get #1,500,000, 4th place #1,000,000 and #500,000 as consolation prize.
