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.
The Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
