May 1, (THEWILL)- The Central Organising Committee (COC) of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football competition, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, has fixed Thursday, May 2, 2024, for the official draws and presentation of jerseys to participating teams.
About two hundred teams, comprising male, female and para-soccer teams, are expected to take part in season 6 of the tournament which has continued to receive global recognition, especially with players of Bayelsa origin now being scouted both locally and internationally due to the Prosperity Cup.
In 2023, Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretorugbene beat De Grace FC of Yenagoa 4-3 via penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in an encounter witnessed by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; Nigeria National League (NNL) Chairman, Mr. George Aluo, and other top officials of the NFF and NNL.
Director General of the Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, in a statement on behalf of the COC, said the draws ceremony and presentation of jerseys to the various teams will take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk, and will be flagged off by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The statement explains that Governor Diri is expected to be accompanied by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, federal and state legislators, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff Government House, permanent secretaries, local government chairmen and other top government functionaries, with the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, as the Chief Host.
According to him, all members of the COC, LOC and representatives of the various teams are expected to join the Prosperity Walk leading to the fun-filled ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development has endorsed season six of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament christened the Prosperity Cup.
The endorsement was contained in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Okeke Patrick, on behalf of the Minister, Senator John Eno, ahead of the kick-off of the tournament.
It notes that the need to endorse the tournament became imperative due to its continuous growth and the attention it had received since its inception, saying that the Ministry is pleased to work hand in glove with the organisers, with the aim of giving the youths in Bayelsa a chance to nurture their dreams to reality.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
