June 02, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, performed the ceremonial kick-off to herald the 5th edition of the Governor’s Cup also known as the ‘Prosperity Cup’.
Governor Diri, who performed the ceremony at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other top officials of the Bayelsa State Government shortly after participating in the weekly Prosperity Jogging exercise.
In a remark, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, who described the tournament as the largest grassroots football competition in Nigeria and Africa, said 6,420 players are set to participate, adding that products of the tournament have been recruited into the state-owned Bayelsa United, which campaigns in the Nigeria Premier League.
A former member of the Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee and Confederation of African Football Medical Committee, Dr. Peter Singabele, commended Governor Diri for sponsoring the competition, stating that it would ensure that more budding talents are discovered and groomed for stardom.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, thanked Governor Diri for supporting the tournament, which has continued to throw up young footballers including a player identified as Nestor, who now plays in the Bosnian League and would be returning home to grace the 2023 edition to motivate other youngsters to pursue their dreams.
Akpe noted that the Governor has increased the prize money from N5 million to N11 million. He stated that the competition is already attracting patronage from the private sector, urging multinational oil companies and the corporate world to support the tournament.
In the ceremonial opening game, a youthful Bayelsa United Feeder team pipped defending champions, Eternal Grace Ministries (EGM) FC, by a goal to nothing.
A record 214 teams registered to take part in the 5th edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Cup with action expected to commence on Sunday, June 11, 2023, with teams in Yenagoa Local Government Area battling for honours.
