By David Owei,Baylesa
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Bayelsa State Chapter has thrown its weight behind the local government finals of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.

ALGON expressed its commitment during a parley with members of the Central Organizing Committee, COC ahead of the local government finals.

According to the body, they are working towards successful finals across the 8 local government areas, while also expressing appreciation with the platform created by the governor to foster unity and peace amongst communities in the state.

ALGON applauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for positively engaging the youths through sports and particularly the Prosperity Cup which is gradually attaining international recognition.

Meanwhile, the Central Organizing Committee, COC of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament has concluded arrangements for the local government finals.

Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe in a statement on behalf of the committee shortly after a meeting with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ALGON disclosed that, the LGA finals will hold at the various Local Government Areas beginning from the 3rd of May, 2025.

According to him, the Prosperity Cup championship games will start on the 3rd of May, 2025 with Sangana FC and hard-fighting Igoni FC going head to head for the top prize in Brass LGA, while 5th of May will see Sampou FC and Adaka FC do battle in the Kolokuma/Opokuma final.

Thursday, the 8th of May 2025 will be the turn of Ekeremor LGA, as former champions, Krusaders FC keep a date with Youbolobo FC.

Nembe will be the cynosure of all eyes on the 10th of May, when Nembe City FC trade tackles with Okoroba FC, as Sagbama LGA defending champions, Agbere FC confront Indomitable FC in the Sagbama final on the 12th of May.

It will be Movers FC of Otuasega taking on high-flying Citiboi FC for the Ogbia LGA Top Prize on May 13th.

According to Mr. Akpe the battle ground shifts to Southern Ijaw on the 15th of May, 2025 when Professor Nimibofa Ayawei’s PNA FC clash with Oyoma FC, while Bayelsa United Feeders  will slug it out with Eternal Grace Ministries, E.G.M FC on May 17th, for the Yenagoa top honours.

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

The women’s edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the “Prosperity Cup” has kicked off with God’s Mercy City FC and Ezuogha Academy sending clear messages of intent to the rest of the pack.

In one of yesterday’s opening matches at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Ezougha Academy were so clinical and ruthless in their 8-nil demolition of Diamond Stars of Ayama-Ijaw in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

The match commenced on an exciting note, but it was the Yenagoa based Ezuogha Academy that showcased their supremacy over their Southern Ijaw opponents.

Peculiar John found the back of the net four times, young and energetic midfielder, Princess Numulayefa bagged a hat-trick, while flying winger, Finine Doubrah’s solo effort completed the demolition exercise for Ezuogha Academy FC.

Earlier in the Female tournament’s curtain raiser at the same venue, God’s Mercy City FC humbled Federal University of Otuoke FC by three unreplied goals.

God’s Mercy City’s captain, Pere Richard was brought down in the box, following some skilful displays and centre referee, Rachael Onyekwere wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Precious John stepped forward to send the goalkeeper of Federal University, Otuoke the wrong way to register her name in the scoresheet, while substitute Asumagha Judith buried the game just two minutes into the second half.

The tally would have increased if not for the heroics of goalkeeper Mitchell Edonkumoh, who put up some individual heroics to keep the scoreline low and respectable.

In a post match interview with sports writers, Coach of victorious Ezuogha Academy, Akren Beauty commended her girls for the determination throughout the encounter, noting that every game is important to them.

Despite the defeat, coach of Diamond Stars, Daniel Seimiesin said there are more positives take home in their defeat, pointing out that the competition has exposed the girls to better teams and playing turf, stating that the tournament would improve women’s football in the state.

According to him, their aim of participating in the competition was beyond winning trophy and the prize money but to consolidate on the dreams of the governor, Senator Douye Diri and the organizers of the tournament towards engaging the youths in the state positively.

In separate interviews, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba and the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown gave thumbs up to the organizers of the showpiece.

Hon. Egba, who took the kick-off of the second match remarked that she was pleased with the inclusion of the women version in the tournament, pointing out that she is confident that national team players would emerge from the tournament.

Also, Hon. Ndiomu who described Bayelsa as the home of female football in the country, noting that the governor’s passion for the development of sports has given youths in the state an alternative means to flourish.

Action continues on Friday at the Kpansia centre as Igbogene Starlight welcome Akeddei Queens by 3.00p.m. while the second match of the day will see Police Machine FC go up against Jerry Queens at 4.30p.m.

By David Owei,Baylesa

Action begins on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in the women’s version of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.

Chairman of the women’s tournament committee, Mr. Ebi Avi says the opening fixture of the spectacle will see Federal University Otuoke go up against God’s Mercy City by 3.00p.m. at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

According to him, Diamond Stars will battle Ezuogha Soccer Academy at the same venue by 4.30p.m, pointing out that the duration of each match would be sixty minutes, at thirty minutes each half.

He disclosed that straight penalty kicks will be used to determine the winners, in the case of a draw at full time, stressing that participating teams and officials are expected to report at match venues one hour before kick-off.

Mr. Avi also advised the various participating teams to always play by the rules and regulations governing the tournament and not engage in activities that are capable of tarnishing the image of the competition and bring the game of football to disrepute,

The Chairman of the women’s tournament committee notes that the Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe and the entire organizing team are desirous of seeing more home grown players broke into the ranks of Bayelsa Queens and other top club sides in the Nigeria Women’s Football League NWFL in the nearest future.