Sports
Prosperity Cup 2026: Bayelsa State Referees Conclude Refresher Courses Ahead of Tournament.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Over a hundred referees from the Bayelsa State Referees Council have been equipped with officiating skills ahead of the commencement of the season 8 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
The two-day refresher course which was put together by the organizers of the Prosperity Cup in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development, had separate sessions; the practical and the theoretical part of the exercise.
Speaking after the programme, renowned CAF Instructor and Member NFF Referees Committee, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, said he was pleased with the enthusiasm of the young referees, urging referees to take advantage of the opportunity given to them by the organizers.
Chukwujekwu who described the exercise “as massive” noted that this was the first time he was witnessing a tournament where referees are trained by the organizers of the tournament before the commencement of the competition.
He hinted that he is elated that one of the trainees from the previous edition, Rachel Onyekwere has grown to become one of the best centre referees, stating that the continuous training of referees dovetails how the tournament organizers have accorded priority to fair-play.
Another CAF Instructor and Accessor, Felicia Chibugwu, lauded the organizers of the tournament for the initiative, that this year’s edition of the spectacle will witness and improve officiating from the previous edition, maintaining that the umpires have been equipped with modern techniques.
She noted that she was elated to see kids within the age of eight to twelve years participating in the programme, saying that the refresher courses on the referees would avert controversial officiating in the competition this year.
Some of the participants, Kuote Sinivie, and a 15 year old Commander Daniela and another 15 year old Sunny Blessing, expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the tournament for the transformative initiative, maintaining that the exercise has unveiled the latest laws of the game.
The highpoint of the programme was a presentation of certificates to the various participants of the exercise. Meanwhile training for medical personnel will commence on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Sports
Gov. Diri Restates Call for IOCs to Fund Prosperity Cup … As Tournament Organizers Conclude Season 8 Draws
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has charged multinational oil companies and other corporate organizations operating in the state to complement the efforts of government in the area of sports development.
The Governor gave the charge while speaking during the presentation of branded jersey to him by members of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup.
Governor Diri also kick-started the process of the conduct the official draws of the tournament. In addition, he performed the ceremonial distribution of kits — comprising jerseys for players and coaches, as well as footballs to three teams participating in the tournament namely Afini Ladies of Amarata, Agbere FC of Agbere community and one of the para-soccer teams.
Senator Diri, who expressed delight at how the tournament has grown from a modest competition in 2015 to becoming Nigeria’s biggest grassroots competition with as many as 228 teams participating in the male category alone, commended organisers of the tournament for the great job they are doing.
Still speaking on the phenomenal growth of the tournament, Governor Diri said government alone could not develop sports and called on oil companies, other corporate organizations and well-meaning Bayelsans to support the tournament, maintaining that sports remains a vital tool to curb youth restiveness.
According to the governor, who also the development of sports in any nation was incomplete without the grassroots sports development, pointing out that his administration remains committed to youth engagement and empowerment through sports.
He commended the organizers of the tournament for putting together a refresher course for referees of the State Referees Council, urging the umpires to be upright in the discharge of their duties during the competition.
He equally appreciated lead sponsors of the tournament, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Board of Internal Revenue for investing in sports development for their support.
Also Deputy Director General of the tournament, Mr. Perela Aboro, described the main draws which took place shortly after at the Golden Tulip Resort Secretariat of the organisers of the Prosperity Cup, as transparent to every team, maintaining that this year’s edition would be the best in terms of organization.
He noted that all hands were on deck to ensure that the competition was hitch-free in the various centres, adding that every effort was made to ensure teams were close to their base to cut high cost of transportation.
Coach Perez Walson of FC De-Lavida, who in an interview, noted that he was prepared for the tournament, said he was particularly excited about the coaching clinic, adding that this year’s edition would be historic.
Meanwhile, the draws conducted saw Canaan FC up against Sangana FC at the Okpoama centre in Brass Local Government Area, Ibidi FC will welcome Igoni FC of Igoni, Tough Dynamites will entertain Egweama FC as Amaogbo FC confronts Formosa FC.
Fantua FC will battle Okoroba FC at the Opu-Nembe centre in the Nembe LGA; Young Ranger FC will take on Mangrove Ace FC while Okoroma United are drawn by. Genesis FC will keep a date with Victory FC, MC FC will lock horns with Nembe City as Fisherman Sons FC are on stand-bye.
The Kolo centre in Ogbia Local Government Area will see Abagi FC tango Diocese of Ogbia, Movers FC of Otuasega battles Emeyal 2 FC, Ewoi FC of Ewoi will face neighbours Onuebum FC, as Bayelsa State College of Health Technology BYCOTECH FC faces Chief Street FC.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged Team Bayelsa to retain its title at the forthcoming Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Games as the state’s contingent departed Yenagoa for the regional sporting fiesta.
Governor Diri gave the charge during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, where he reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to sports development in the state.
The governor also disclosed that Bayelsa is strategically positioning itself to host major sporting competitions in the future, noting that the ongoing construction of the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene is a key part of that vision.
Urging the athletes and officials to remain focused and disciplined, Diri reminded the team of its status as defending champions and expressed confidence in their ability to excel despite the age dynamics in this year’s edition.
“We came first in the maiden edition of the NDDC Games,” the governor said. “I charge Team Bayelsa to maintain that first position and bring a very good name to the state.”
Team Bayelsa departed with a formidable delegation comprising 270 athletes competing in 16 sports and supported by 46 coaches across the same number of events.
The contingent also includes 12 accompanying officials, 16 management members—with six travelling with the team and 10 remaining in Yenagoa—as well as five media personnel covering the Games.
In addition, a four-member liaison committee is part of the delegation.
The committee is made up of the Honourable Commissioner, the Director of Sports, Mr. Andrew Aye, Mr. Loveday Herbert (Secretary), and Mr. Alambo Datonye (Member).
Team Prosperity will be looking to replicate its dominant performance at the inaugural edition as it seeks to once again finish top of the medals table.
Sports
Prosperity Cup Draws and Jersey Presentation Get Underway on Thursday, Feb 19 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.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
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.
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.
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Prosperity Cup Draws and Jersey Presentation Get Underway on Thursday, Feb 19 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.
By David Owei,Bayelsa Organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity...
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