May 31, (THEWILL) – Defending champions Eternal Grace Ministry EGM FC of Yenagoa will kick off their defence of the Bayelsa State Governors Cup tagged the “Prosperity Cup” against Faith Comprehensive School of Okukukutu at the Opolo Center.
EGM FC last year defeated Odioma Fc of Brass 2-1 to lift Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football showpiece after a brilliant comeback from the church boys.
The tournament curtain-raiser will see defending champions Eternal Grace Ministry EGM FC of Yenagoa square off with enterprising Dream Boys Academy of Odi in the ceremonial fixture at the Samson Siasia Stadium
The draws conducted in Yenagoa on Tuesday saw 214 teams grouped into twenty-four different centres across the various Local Government Areas in the State with 5,350 players set to take part in the spectacle.
At the Old Assembly Quarters centre, Kpansia FC will face Shegbelegbe FC, Peremor Soccer vs A.G Onopa FC, Azikoro Youth Movement will have a date with the Nigerian Television Authority NTA, as two teams in Agbura, Agbura O.G FC entertained Agbura Young Stars while the Dominion City of Azikoro will slug it out with Creek Heaven Onopa.
Opolo Centre will witness familiar fixtures in Yenagoa when Yenagoa FC lock horns with Palm FC, Baptist Church FC of Ovom will square up against Ohaneze FC, Zola FC of Azikoro will battle House of Hope Schools FC, Rose of Sharon FC Opolo will take on God’s Glory Ministries FC, Onopa FC welcomes Better Days FC of Swali while EGM will hope to continue their tournament defence with a date against Neighbors Faith Comprehensive School.
Agge centre in Ekeremor Local government sees Famous Zion FC taking on last year’s quarter-finalist Agbayama FC, Bakiri FC will tango with Iyapregha Zion FC while Ekeperia are drawn bye.
The Ogbia centre is expected to rekindle old rivalries and friendship among communities in the three centres when they meet each other, at the Imringi centre New Evangel FC will take on Oruma FC, Golden Stars face Newcastle FC of Kolo, as Okpoti FC two welcomes Agholo FC of Kolo, Ogbia champions Movers FC Of Otuasega will be looking to continue their dominance over Emeyal when they face Emeyal 1 FC.
At the Otuokpoti venue, Vincent Azibapus Anyama FC will hope to continue their fairytale run as they face neighbours God’s Promise FC of Otuedu, Okodi FC will entertain Ologi FC, Otuedu Community will battle Onuebum FC, while Elebele FC are drawn bye.
Hope Alive Fc of Otueke will keep their hopes alive by winning the Prosperity Cup for the first time at the Kolo centre when they file out against Star Boys Fc of Opume, Christ Salvation Church Fc Of Ogbia will slug it out with Emeyal two FC, Apret Fc of Imringi entertains Amagala FC of Olubiri while Jerry Fc are on standby.
Koloba Fc in the center will battle Ekpuwari Fc, Sampou community face Sabagreia Fc, Prosperity Cup tournament hopeful Dream Boys Football Academy are on standby, at the Opukuma center B.S.C.Y.C Fc of Sampou will trade tackle with Boutioru Fc of Igbedi.
Top of the fixture at Nembe Centre is the Nigeria Union Journalist NUJ who are on standby, Kiri-Pogu-Community Fc will take on Nembe City, Igbeta-Iwoama Fc will tackle Bayelsa State School of Health and Technology Otuogidi while Opu-Nembe Fc are also on standby.
Odioma City at the Twon Brass Center will have Okpoma Fc versus Agbalakoko Fc, Canan Fc takes on Twon Brass United while last year’s finalist are on standby, Moses Fc of Sangana at the Akassa Centre welcomes Wagita Fc, Williams of Sangana will face Amaogbo Fc, Blessed Fc of Liama up against Fish Fc.
Bayelsa United U15 who recently participated in the NPFL Laliga U15 in Ogun State will have a date with Salvation Favour Assembly at the Ogboloma centre, In Sagbama LGA Agbere Fc were drawn bye as Agoro Fc will tango Bolu-Orua Fc.
Declaring the draws ceremony open, the chairman of the occasion, Sir Dr Peter Singable, urged the participating teams to abide by the rules of the competition.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Daniel Igali in a remark, while thanking the governor for his genuine love of sports development particularly lauded the deputy senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for his thoroughness towards handling issues describing the fiesta as Africa’s biggest grassroots football tournament.
In an address of welcome, Director General of the Prosperity Cup Mr Ono Akpe, promised an improved tournament that would produce more stars that would fly the Bayelsa flag outside the State.
He explained that Yenagoa local government area has the highest number of registered teams with a total of one hundred and thirteen teams.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, is expected to lead members of the state executive council for the kick-off of the spectacle on Thursday, at the Samson Siasia Stadium by 10 am after the weekly prosperity walk.
