Sports
Organisers of Prosperity Cup Inspect Match Venues … Kick-off fixed for February 26th
By David Owei,Bayelsa
As preparations for the 2026 edition of the Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, enter top gear, the Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the competition has sent out its technical team to assess the suitability of match venues.
The technical team will be inspecting the proposed match centres to ascertain the condition of the playing turf and how easily accessible the communities are. The technical team will also be conscious of security considerations.
There are a total of 35 proposed match centres across the state with 30 centres scheduled to be selected to mark the 30th anniversary of the state.
According to the schedule of activities unveiled at the Central Organizing Committee meeting held at the Tulip Resort Secretariat of the organisers, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the official kick-off date of the competition has been scheduled for February 26, 2026 to coincide with the presence of technical officials from Spanish football giants, FC Barcelona.
Members of the visiting team from FC Barcelona are expected to join the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri in taking the ceremonial kick-off.
It will be recalled that the organisers of Prosperity Cup, the biggest grassroots football spectacle in the country, recently struck a landmark partnership deal with FC Barcelona through their Netherlands based agents, Whiz-kid Ventures. The deal will see the visiting FC Barcelona technical team conducting a three-day international UEFA-certified coaching clinic for 50 football coaches.
The international coaching clinic is being organized in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development and the Bayelsa State Football Association (BFA) and powered by Abuja-based Sports Marketing firm, Red Sapphire Ltd.
The coach’s training programme, which will be coordinated by Bernard Villa Boas, the Technical Director for Africa Project, will be taking the Bayelsa grassroots football coaches through a series of sessions on modern coaching skills and techniques, with particular focus on the methodology and philosophy of the Spanish club.
The FC Barcelona coaching training programme will dovetail into another training to be organized in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with the Federation’s Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen as the focal person.
Distribution of kits to the various teams as well as draws for the competition, will be coming up on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The grand finale of the competition is expected to come up on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The visit of the FC Barcelona team will afford them the opportunity to discuss the establishment of a world-class football academy in Bayelsa State.
Other areas of potential collaboration include the training of football administrators, talent identification and placement of discovered talents in schools, academies and clubs to further their development.
Prosperity Cup 2026 is a special edition that is being used to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State and it will also mark the sixth anniversary of Governor Douye Diri’s ‘Assured Prosperity’ Administration.
Champions in the male category of this special “Bayelsa @ 30” edition of the competition will receive the sum of N30 million while runners-up will go home with the sum of N10 million and in the female category, the winners will smile to the bank with the sum of N10 million while the runners-up will be five million Naira richer.
Meanwhile, plans are being intensified for a hitch-free edition of the tournament with a series of capacity building programmes lined up in the coming weeks. These include training programmes for referees, medical personnel, centre coordinators, as well as media practitioners that will cover the tournament.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Okoroma United of Okoroma have emerged champions of Nembe Local Government Area in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football fiesta, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
Okoroma United walloped Fantuo FC of Fantuo by six goals to nil in the Nembe LGA final to emerge as champions in an encounter decided at the Nembe City Stadium, Nembe on Sunday.
The Nembe City centre winners wasted no time before stamping their authority in the game when Itaribo Opubo opened the flood gate of goals for his Okoroma-based side just six minutes into the game, after several misses from his side.
Noble Erasmus headed the second goal for his team on 33 minutes of the game. Itaribo Opubo again, scored two quick goals to put the game beyond their opponents’ reach to make it 4-0, with his third goal being applauded by the fans present at the Nembe City stadium.
Noble Erasmus added in his second goal for Okoroma United to make it 5-0 as talisman, Itaribo Opubo scored his fourth goal of the game to completely annihilate the helpless and hapless Fantuo FC.
Matters got worse for the Fantuo side when their keeper was given a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box.
The winners of the Nembe LGA finals, Okoroma United will smile to the bank with the sum of ₦1,000,000, runners-up Fantuo FC went home with ₦500,000.
In a remark, the Member representing Nembe Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. George Braah, said he was pleased with the performance of both teams, pointing out that the performance speaks volume of the avalanche of talents in the LGA and indeed the entire State.
According to him, the tournament, over the years, has become a veritable platform for young players in the State to showcase their potentials particularly in football.
He pledged the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000) to the winners, Okoroma United while the runners-up, Fantuo FC received three hundred thousand naira ₦300,000.
Chairman of Nembe Local Government Area, Chief David Alagoa, represented by the Political Secretary of the council, Hon. Ambrose Tari, appreciated the organizers of the tournament for the laudable initiative, stating that he was elated with the growth of the competition.
The council boss announced a cash reward of one million naira (₦1,000,000) to champions, Okoroma United and five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000) to the runners-up, Fantuo FC.
Chief Alagoa also pledged that the Council will take full responsibility of both teams for the rest of the competition.
An elated Okoroma United Coach, Ebinimi Festus, in his post-match reaction praised his boys for the show of determination throughout the encounter, maintaining that their attention has moved to the Round 32 slated for later this month.
Also, Fantuo FC coach, Omoh Alex bemoaned his side’s lack of proper training before the encounter that they will improve as the tournament progresses.
The Prosperity Cup train will move to Ogbia LGA on Monday, 13th April, 2026 as enterprising Movers FC of Otuasega battle Edi 1 FC of Ayakoro by 1.00pm at the Imiringi Township Stadium.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, has been unveiled as one of Nigeria’s ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Olympic and world champion alongside Bayelsa’s finest Blessing Oborodudu, as well as other stakeholders like, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Mallam Saleh Ahmadu, Dr Amos Adamu, Chief Patrick Ekeji, Alhassan Yakmut, and Gbenga Elegbeleye highlighted a blend of technical expertise and athlete representation in a deliberate effort to foster inclusivity, credibility, and performance-driven preparation.
The initiative remains a powerful tool for national unity, youth engagement, and international visibility.
Also, the importance of coordinated stakeholder involvement in ensuring that Team Nigeria is adequately prepared to compete at the highest level.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026,
Sports
Prosperity Cup 2026: NYSC FC Stage Comeback to Qualify for Round of 32 … As Tournament Commences in Kolga LGA
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The National Youths Service Corps, NYSC FC produced one of the greatest comebacks in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
NYSC FC came from two goals down to beat United Stars 4-2 on penalties after a two-all draw in regulation time to advance into the round of 32 in an encounter decided at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.
Ifeanyi Johnson put United Stars ahead three minutes into the game from a beautiful finish. Genesis Ebi doubled the lead for United Stars on 16 minutes to rekindle their hopes of winning the tournament.
Ugoh Victor on 83 minutes reduced the deficit for the NYSC side to give the NYSC team a lifeline, having taken charge of the game but when it looks like United Stars were coasting home with victory, Joshua Xaga scored on 86 minutes to drag the game into the anxiety of penalty shootout.
Hummels Stars FC of Otuokpoti pipped Donbai United by a lone goal thanks to Richman Barnabas’ 63 minutes strike to secure a place in the round of 32, having lost to Izuo Gillette in the last match of the Swali centre.
Mighty-Mighty FC in the third match of the runner up play-offs defeated Etivie FC 7-6 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time while Citiboi Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Rich Destiny FC two nil to move into the round of 32 of the spectacle.
In the Yenagoa LGA quarter finals tie, Akinima/Biogbo hammered Global City by four goals to one. Afini FC beat Sea Side FA 4-3 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time while Brazil FC beat high-scoring MFM FC 4-3 on penalties, having played out a one all draw in normal time at the Golf Course, Onopa.
Elsewhere, Bina FC at the Odi centre in Kolokuma/Opukuma LGA beat Oko/Safa FC 7-6 on penalties after a one-all draw at normal time while Mezeh City in the last fixture at the Odi centre triumphed 5-4 on penalties over Adaka FC after a two all-draw in regulation time to secure a place in the next round of the competition.
Odi United at the Sabagreia centre beat Amatugu FC by three goals to two to progress to the next round of the competition. Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Bayelsa FC in the last fixture, pummeled Orukarebai FC by four goals to one to keep their hopes of winning the tournament alive.
Action will resume on Saturday, 4th April, 2026 in Kolokuma/Opokuma as De Rhema United battle Premium FC at 12.00 Noon. Mountain of the Lord’s Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Sir Temple FC at 3.00pm at the Odi centre.
Opu-Okun United at the Sabagreia centre will welcome Premium FC at 12.00pm while King Warriors FA will face Creek FC at 3.00pm as the battle for the N30,000,000 prize money gets tougher.
Bayelsa United Feeders will confront Afini FC on Sunday, 5th April, 2026 at 12.00 noon as Akimima/Biogbo battle Brazil FC at 3.00pm at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.
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