Prosperity Cup 2026: Women’s Tournament Gets Underway
2 min read
…As Women Affairs Commissioner Expresses Delight Over Women’s Football Growth
Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Hon. Joanah Gigi says the introduction of the women’s category of the Prosperity Cup has changed the fortunes of women football in the State.
The commissioner made the assertion at the opening ceremony of this year’s women’s version of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Hon Gigi noted that the introduction of the women’s tournament was indicative of the State’s investment in women football, pointing out that the future of women’s football is bright with the Prosperity Cup.
Hon. Gigi said she was pleased with the quality of football displayed by the two teams pitched against each other in the ceremonial opening match, Afini Ladies and Bayelsa Queens Feeders, stating that she is confident that players from the competition will graduate into the State-owned Bayelsa Queens and the various other teams participating in the Nigeria Women’s Football League, in the future.
She lauded the organizers of the tournament for conceiving the vision to include women’s tournament in the competition, stressing that the investment would soon begin to yield the desired results.
The commissioner equally appreciated the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for massively investing in sports development.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Pereyi Efeke, in his remarks, asserted that the competition has improved the growth of women football in Bayelsa, maintaining that plans are underway to see more Bayelsa girls in the state-owned team.
Also speaking, chairman of the women’s tournament, Mr. Zuzu Ebimotimi remarked that the increase in the number of registered teams in the competition reflects the continuous acceptance of the showpiece, stressing that the competition has helped in the discovery of female players in the State.
He explained that the competition will kick-off on Tuesday, 21st of April, 2026 in four different centres; Kpansia, Swali, Onopa Golf pitch, and the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS field, with the finals coming up on the 8th of May, 2026 alongside the men’s final at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Afini Ladies coach, Anthony Fouye in an interview, expressed readiness for this year’s tournament, adding that the quality of football has improved compared to the previous edition.
Bayelsa Queens Feeders in the ceremonial match defeated defending champions Afini Ladies by a lone goal as they prepare for the preliminary rounds next week.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
