Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The draw for the season seven of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football fiesta, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup has been completed in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The draw, which was held at the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Stadium had representatives and officials from the various participating teams in attendance, alongside key actors in the sports sector, who witnessed the ceremony.
Prosperity Cup Season Seven will see 255 teams comprising 231 in the men’s category and 24 of the female side battling for supremacy in the tournament in 25 centers across the eight local government areas.
Defending champions, Ogboinbiri FC will kick start their title defence at Oporoma center in Southern Ijaw that has Ikianbiri FC, Ludoun FC, Oyoma FC, Amatuburu FC and Otuan FC.
Nembe City last year’s finalists at the Nembe City center will face Respect FC, Ultimate Lakers, Etie FC, Okoroba FC, Fantuo FC, Tbbe FC and Fisherman Son FC while former champions Krusaders FC of Peretorugbene will confront Samba Boys FC, Ayamasa FC and Isampou Town at the Ekeremor Town center.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria NUJ/SWAN team will be seeking to take their opponents to the cleaners when they face Odi United, Sabagreia Boys, Sampou FC, Kings Warriors of Igbedi and Creek FC at the Ekpuwari- Opokuma center in Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area.
Ogbia champions, Mover’s FC of Otuasega will take on Milcom FC, Otuoke Pain FC, Emeyal 2 FA, Rising Stars FC of Oruma, Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti, Kolo 3 FC, Global FC and Jerry FC of Ogbia Town at the Imiringi center, while 2022 champions, Eternal Grace Ministry EGM FC were drawn at the Ogboloma center in Yenagoa LGA.
Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe in a remark, urged the players of the various participating teams to discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, maintaining that apart from the huge prize, the tournament would witness man of the match award in every game in the competition.
According to him, the man of the match award would start on Monday in the opening fixture of the tournament, stating that the man of the match prize money would be paid to the individual’s account at the end of the game.
He noted that all the center coordinators, coaches and the media would work hand in glove with the scouting team led by Perela Aboroson to identify outstanding players across the different centers.
The DG hinted that winners at the local government level would smile to the bank with one million naira and five hundred thousand naira for runner up, pointing out that they are working round the clock to ensure that teams get more financial support in the tournament.
Mr. Akpe explained that allowances would be given to teams who qualifed to the round of 32 in the competition, which he describes as a new development in the tournament, emphasizing that there would be a local government selected team to identify players who are good but whose teams exited the tournament in the early stages.
He appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri and Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali for the huge investment in the development of sports.
