By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics has received a major boost as organisers acquire mattresses in an effort to make athletes comfortable

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, who was accompanied by two board members of the Federation, Lt Colonel Okou Timipre and Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborududu on Thursday purchased the mattresses as preparations get into top gear.

Igali commended the level of work done so far, expressing optimism that this year’s edition would undoubtedly be the best Wrestling Classics the Federation has ever had.

Honourable Igali confirmed that there would be free feeding for over 600 expected athletes with arrival starting on 22nd March to 23rd.

Adding that the Games Village would have a lot of attractions that will excite contingents.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎Ogbia Local Government Area defending champions, Citiboi FC have been bundled out of Season 8 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
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‎Aperetia FC of Imiringi shocked Citiboi FC one goal to nil to produce one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in an encounter decided at the Otuabagi centre, thanks to Newman Happiness’ second half goal, which has sent them to the next round of the competition.
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In the second tie at the Otuabagi centre, ‎Abureni FC beat United FC by 4-2 on penalties after a one-all draw in regulation time. Gabriel Azibateni put Abureni FC ahead on 29 minutes but United FC responded 40 minutes later to drag the tie into the anxiety of penalty shootout.
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‎Elsewhere at the Kolo centre, Movers FC of Otuasega humbled Emeyal 2 FC by two goals to nil to keep their hopes of winning the ₦30,000,000.00 prize money and trophy intact, after a sloppy start. Agbori Nitoni’s second brace at the Kolo centre helped Abagi FC to beat the Diocese of Ogbia.
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‎Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Joyful Assembly at the Otuasega Centre white-washed Obada FC by four goals to one while the hopes of Hope Alive FC winning the tournament was dashed as they were pummeled by four goals to one by Emeyal 1 FC.
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‎Edi 1 FC at the Otuokpoti centre triumphed 5-3 on penalties against Otuekpein FC after a two-all draw in regulation time. Edi 1 FC came from two goals down to defeat their opponents. Hummels Jnr FC in the second game, spanked Experience Boys four nil to secure a seamless passage into the next round.
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‎Otuegwe 1 FC in the last match at the Otuokpoti centre edged out Warriors Stars FC three nil to advance to the next phase of the competition.
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‎Elebele FC at the Imiringi centre eased out De Paul’z FC by three goals to one while Coach Mirupu Eda-tutored Agholo United in the second game at the Imiringi centre took Friends FC to the cleaners with a two nil victory, courtesy of Precious and Reward Believe’s goals on 49 and 67 minutes respectively.
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‎Elsewhere at the Nembe City and Okpoama centres in Nembe and Brass LGAs respectively, Okoroma United triumphed 4-1 on penalties to secure a Round of 32 ticket after a one-all draw in regulation time. Igoni FC pipped Formosa FC by a lone goal to secure a slot in the round of 32.
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‎Hostilities will resume on Sunday, 15th March, 2026 in Ogbia Local Government Area as Ekeremor LGA gets underway.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 2026 edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also called the Prosperity Cup, has taken on an interesting flavour with the registration of a team, Liberty FC, from the Correctional Centre in the State.
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‎The Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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‎He noted that a special playing field has been designated for Liberty FC to execute their matches in the tournament, stating that the inclusion of the Correctional teams represents inclusivity among institutions.
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‎According to him, beyond the huge prize money in the tournament, the competition has helped to curb crime and other social vices across the state while providing a platform for talents in Bayelsa to showcase their potential.
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‎The DG explained that with the consistency in the organising the tournament, youth restiveness has reduced drastically because the youths are actively engaged in football activities across communities, pointing out that there is incontrovertible evidence that during the tournament crime rate is usually low across communities.
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‎He further explained that several institutions are taking part in the competition which include; the Nigeria Police Force, the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, as well as faith-based organizations, and not forgetting the non-indegene in the State, who equally registered a team for the tournament.

Speaking on the Correctional facility registering a team for the tournament, a Yenagoa-based football buff, Comrade Stanley Imgbi, said “it is an interesting development. Their inclusion will add flavour to the tournament.”

Continuing, Imgbi, who doubles as the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, said “I am equally delighted to hear that non-indigenes in the State also registered a team. This will bring about unity. Kudos to the organisers of the tournament.”
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‎In the meantime, the Prosperity Cup train is moving to Ogbia Local Government Area this weekend with the conclusion of preliminary round hostilities in Brass and Nembe Council areas.