Football enthusiasts in Bayelsa State have described the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup as a “movement” that has changed the fortunes of grassroots football in the nation.
They made the assertion at Rhythm FM 94.7 during an interactive session with organizers of the tournament.
A caller, Royal Prince lauded the idea of the tournament, saying that since the introduction of the competition in 2015, youths in Bayelsa have been positively impacted, stating that this year’s edition has been remarkable with more innovations.
Another caller who gave his name as Last Bus stop, commended the organizers of the tournament for the yearly innovations, maintaining that the governor’s support for grassroots football has further placed Bayelsa as a leading sporting state in the country.
Also, a caller identified as Promise noted that the Prosperity Cup is beyond winning the prize money and trophy and that the competition has become a movement, with the youths channeling their energy towards football, stating that this year’s edition has shown that the Prosperity Cup being tagged the biggest grassroots football tournament was no fluke.
He asserted that the competition has improved the growth of women football in Bayelsa and that he was marveled by the quality of football he has witnessed in the women’s tournament, urging coaches of Bayelsa Queens to go around the various centres to scout for budden talents.
Assessing the level of progress in the tournament, the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi said activities have commenced ahead of the grand finale slated for Friday, 8th May, 2026 with the scouting programme starting on Monday, 4th alongside the semi finals.
He explained that the quarter finals will start on Saturday, 2nd May, 2026 in two centres; Otuasega and the Golf pitch Onopa, Yenagoa while the para-soccer and third place matches for the tournament will be on 6th and 7th of May, 2026.
Mr Avi hinted that the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, Director General, National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olopade, Director General National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shuaibu and the Managing Director, Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim will be in Yenagoa for the grand finale.
Also speaking, Media Officer of the tournament, Mr. Hananeel Jackson, affirmed that 530 goals were scored in the preliminary rounds, 180 games were decided in regulation time while 40 matches were settled via penalty shootout.
Hananeel explained that 5,700 players and 680 team officials including coaches are taking part in the tournament, pointing out that 34 goals were recorded in the Round of 32, averaging 2.13 goals per match.
