SPORTS
Bayelsa Governor’s Prosperity Cup: Grassroots Football Tournament Boasts Success, Eyes European Partnerships
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – Mr. Ono Akpe, Director General of the Bayelsa Governor’s Tournament, the Prosperity Cup, attributes the tournament’s continued success to Governor Diri’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development.
This year’s edition, which begins this month, promises to be even bigger, spanning eight local government areas and 24 centres and featuring male, female, and para-soccer categories.
In a pre-tournament interview, Akpe emphasised Governor Diri’s commitment to providing opportunities for Bayelsa’s youth through sport.
He cited the governor’s direct involvement as a driving force behind the tournament’s ongoing innovation, particularly its expansion to the local government level.
This ensures greater participation and allows players who may not advance to the final stages to still be scouted by international talent agencies.
This year’s changes include increased prize money—N1 million for local government champions and N500,000 for runners-up—and the formation of teams comprised of outstanding local government players to advance to the next round.
Akpe described the previous local government finals as a resounding success. The addition of an MVP award for each match reinforces the tournament’s commitment to recognising individual talent.
With registration for season seven underway, Akpe expressed confidence in the tournament’s continued success in launching players to international careers.
Five players from previous scouting programs are set to depart for Turkey, Malta, and Lithuania, with Akpe hoping to have more than ten players signed to European clubs by the end of season seven.
Beyond player development, the Prosperity Cup has also had a positive social impact. Akpe cited security reports that emphasised the tournament’s contribution to community peace and stability.
The tournament’s commitment to resource provision is also clear; over 250 teams receive jersey sets each year, with additional sets provided for teams that advance to later stages.
Looking ahead, Akpe revealed that he is currently in talks with Spain’s La Liga about forming a partnership focused on coaching development.
This collaboration aims to improve local coaching standards and boost the Prosperity Cup’s international profile.
The tournament continues to show its value as a critical platform for youth development and a springboard for Bayelsa’s young athletes to achieve global success.
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