Maiden Edition of 2022 Prosperity Cup kicks off in Yenagoa
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The maiden edition of the Governor Douye Diri prosperity Football Tournament kicked off on Monday, at the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom, Yenagoa.
Yenagoa city was the centre of attraction as the famous Bayelsa State Governor’s Cup tagged “Prosperity Cup” took off at the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom.
The tournament, the biggest grassroot football competion in country, is part of the Prosperity government’s plans to curb youth restiveness through sports. The Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri in his speech, described sports as a sure means of engaging the youth while also commending organisers of the competition.
The Bayelsa State chief executive urged Youths to put in their best in the tournament, adding that the tournament will expose them to national and international clubs.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports development, Hon. Daniel Igali in his remarks, said the competition was aimed at taking sports development to the grassroots, and would go a long way in discovering football talents.
The Olympian said 206 teams, including paramilitary outfit, Churches, Tertiary Institutions, will battle for honours at this year’s edition.
Also speaking, the director of sports, Bayelsa State, Mr. Braveman Wodi, said the tournament will harness talents from rural communities which will also engaged them from other social vices.
In his remark, director General of the tournament, Hon. Ono Akpe commended Governor Douye Diri for sponsoring the maiden edition, saying the initiative would foster peace and harmony amongst communities in the state.
Mr Akpe said that for the next three weeks , Bayelsa will be agog with the excitement of the competition, as everything that would ensure a smooth tournament had been made available.
In the thrilling opening encounter, defending champions Gbarain selected Star FC conceded defend to Bayelsa medical University team 1-2 to pick the tournament’s first victory.
Goals from Godwin Francis on 32 minutes and Ebi James on 66 minutes ensured that the Bayelsa Medical University students returned to their classes with victory while Benedict Berekubo got the consolation for the losing team.
The kick-off of the football match in Yenagoa also marked the kick-off of the tournament in different Local Government Areas of the State.
