By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎Organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, have scheduled Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the official draws and presentation of jerseys ahead of the season eight of the tournament.
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‎This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi in preparation for the commencement of the spectacle.
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‎According to him, the event will take place at 7.30a.m., at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk, pointing out that the exercise would be colourful as Bayelsa celebrates it’s 30th anniversary.
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According to the statement,‎ the ceremonial draws will be performed by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, while the conduct of the rest of the draws will continue at the Prosperity Cup Secretariat, Golden Tulip Resort, Onopa.
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‎The statement further explained that all participating teams are expected to send representatives to witness the exercise, stating that the ceremonial presentation of the jersey to the governor will be the highlight of the occasion.
‎
‎Mr. Avi noted that the governor is also expected to perform the ceremonial presentation of jerseys to a team each in the eight LGAs, urging members of the public, stakeholders, and enthusiasts to be part of the grand ceremony.
‎
‎Organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, have scheduled Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the official draws and presentation of jerseys ahead of the season eight of the tournament.
‎
‎This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi in preparation for the commencement of the spectacle.
‎
‎According to him, the event will take place at 7.30a.m., at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk, pointing out that the exercise would be colourful as Bayelsa celebrates it’s 30th anniversary.
‎
According to the statement,‎ the ceremonial draws will be performed by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, while the conduct of the rest of the draws will continue at the Prosperity Cup Secretariat, Golden Tulip Resort, Onopa.
‎
‎The statement further explained that all participating teams are expected to send representatives to witness the exercise, stating that the ceremonial presentation of the jersey to the governor will be the highlight of the occasion.
‎
‎Mr. Avi noted that the governor is also expected to perform the ceremonial presentation of jerseys to a team each in the eight LGAs, urging members of the public, stakeholders, and enthusiasts to be part of the grand ceremony.

Hy David Owei,
Bayelsa

Benjamin Opuama, 17-year old Norwegian sprint sensation and son of former Bayelsa United footballer, Franklin Opuama, has donated spike shoes to athletes of the State Athletics Association.

Benjamin, whose father, Franklin hails from Okodi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, is on holiday in Yenagoa and made the donation during a training session at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom, Yenagoa.

Presenting the items on behalf of the young sprinter, secretary of Bayelsa Football Association, Mr. Diseiye Nwakwe, said the gesture reflected Mr. Franklin Opuama’s enduring passion for sports development in Bayelsa despite residing abroad.

He noted that giving back to the system that nurtured him is both a responsibility and a privilege, especially at a time when athletes require modern equipment to compete favourably at state, national, and international levels.

Receiving the items, the Chairman of Bayelsa State Athletics Association, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Opuama and his son for their generosity and thoughtfulness.

Dr. Oredipe who is also the Auditor of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, described the donation as timely and impactful, stressing that proper gear such as spike shoes play a critical role in improving speed, traction, and overall performance.

The Bayelsa Athletics boss who urged young Franklin to prepare to represent Nigeria in future competitions, also reiterated that Governor Douye Diri has approved the renovation of the tartan tracks at the sports complex, which he noted underscores the state government’s continued investment in sports infrastructure and determination to create an enabling environment for athletes to thrive.

The event concluded with words of encouragement to the athletes who expressed appreciation for the support and renewed their commitment to bringing honour to the State through outstanding performances, even as they prepare for the 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games holding in Benin City, Edo State.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Festival Torch for the 2nd Niger Delta Games has been lit in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Receiving the Torch at the ceremony which took place at the Samson Siasia Complex, Governor Douye Diri commended the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Sport, Daniel Igali said the fiesta which is the first regional Sports Festival in the country had placed the Niger Delta region as the leader in Sport Development.

“Let me thank the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.

With this initiative, they have placed the Niger Delta States ahead of every other region in the country. So, we commend them for this and we hope that they would even put up a bigger and better tournament this time” he stated.

He expressed optimism that Team Bayelsa would excel at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City and top the overall medals table just as they did in the inaugural edition in Uyo last year, promising to provide the necessary support for the athletes to do the State proud.

The Chairman/CEO of the project consultants for the Niger Delta Games, Dunamis Icon Limited, Chief Itiako Ikpokpo represented by the Secretary of the Liaison Committee for Bayelsa State, Mr. Loveday Herbert said the lighting of the Festival Torch was a critical aspect of the fiesta.

“The Lighting of the Festival Torch represents unity of all the States in the Niger Delta region. The goal of every sporting event is to unify participating States, athletes and officials. It is used to foster a spirit of friendship and compete in a fair competitive environment” he explained.

While commending the Bayelsa State government for receiving the festival torch, he gave an assurance that the best of facilities and organization had been put in place to ensure a successful Sports Festival.

The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mr. Andrew Aye, and other top management officials of the Sports Council, the Technical Adviser on Sports, Mr. Alaowei Opukeme, the Director, New Media of the Bayelsa State government and Chairman of the State Athletics Association, Dr. Kola Oredipe, coaches, athletes among others.

The 2nd edition of Niger Delta Games will formally open on Friday, February 20, while the Closing ceremony takes place on Thursday, February 26.