Over 100 Bayelsa Referees Upgraded for Prosperity Cup Football Tournament

Over 100 football referees from Bayelsa State have received advanced training in modern officiating techniques, preparing them for the upcoming Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup.

The two-day refresher course, organised by the Prosperity Cup organisers, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), the Bayelsa State Referees Council, the Bayelsa State Football Association, and the Ministry of Sports Development, covered both theoretical and practical aspects of refereeing. The practical sessions concluded at Samson Siasia Stadium.

The program featured children aged eight to twelve, prompting positive comments from instructors about the future of refereeing in the state.

Peter Edibe, a FIFA assessor and renowned referee instructor, expressed his delight at the young participants’ enthusiasm and confidence in the referees’ ability to apply their newly acquired skills throughout the tournament.

He described the Prosperity Cup as an excellent opportunity for referees to hone their skills.

Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, a CAF Instructor, Member of the NFF Referees Committee, and Head of the Panel of Instructors of Nigeria Referees, praised the initiative as a “fantastic” step towards aligning Bayelsa officiating with global best practices.

He urged other states to follow the Prosperity Cup organisers’ lead in referee development. He emphasised that the training would significantly increase referees’ confidence in applying updated rules.

Ebi Nwankwe, Chairman of the Nigeria Referees Association’s Bayelsa State Chapter, echoed these sentiments, praising the quality of instruction and its positive impact on officiating standards.

Richman Otiti and Rachel Onyekwere, referees, highlighted the introduction of new game laws, some of which will go into effect by June of this year.

They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to improve their skills, aiming to compete effectively with their counterparts both within and outside of Nigeria.

The Prosperity Cup, which will take place in all eight Local Government Areas, promises to be a tough test for the newly trained officials, demonstrating the value of Bayelsa State’s significant investment in referee development.