Prosperity Cup: Winners Receives Prize Money
3 min read
… As Premium Trust Bank Pledges More Support for Sports Development
Winners of season eight of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, have received cheques after their triumph in the competition.
The presentation ceremony was done immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa with officials of Premium Trust Bank, the tournament’s lead sponsors, present at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who stressed the need for grassroots sports development, said there cannot be any progress in sports without the input of grassroots, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has brought to the fore, the importance of grassroots football.
Senator Diri, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, urged coaches in the State to embark on grassroots talents hunt programmes in order to discover budden talents that would replace aging athletes across different sports, describing grassroots as the bedrock of sports in every society.
According to him, plans are underway for Bayelsa to host the second edition of the State sports festival, stating that local government area sports festival is aimed at spotting hidden talents in the rural areas.
While commending the organizers of the Prosperity Cup for their steadfastness and commitment, the state helmsman appreciated Premium Trust Bank for its premium investment in the development of sports in the State.
Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, who was represented by the Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje, noted that this year’s edition of the tournament was special to the financial institution because it coincides with the bank’s fourth year anniversary.
He hinted that during the anniversary the bank made about one hundred and seventy seven billion Naira Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the first time in the history of any financial institution in the country.
Dr. Omeje assured Bayelsans that the bank will continue to give maximum attention to the development of sports in the State, stating that the institution is desirous to give the youths better opportunities through sports.
A visibly elated Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, earlier in an address of welcome, informed the Bayelsa State Government that five players from the just-concluded edition have been invited by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Austine Eguavoen, to join the U-20 National football team.
He explained that the players would leave Yenagoa for Abuja on Sunday 24th May, 2026, adding that four of the players will be featured in the U-20 team while one will play in the U-23 National team.
Mr Akpe further explained that the Nigeria Nationwide League One, NLO has given the Prosperity Cup champions and the Prosperity Cup selected team a slot in the NLO to participate in the tournament slated to commence next month, with Yenagoa being picked as a centre.
He lauded the sponsors, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance Nig. Ltd, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigeria Customs Service, Binad Table Water, Agco Engineering and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for the unwavering support to the tournament.
Also speaking at the occasion, the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, urged multinational oil companies operating in the State to emulate Premium Trust Bank by supporting the grassroots football tournament.
In separate interviews, Okoroma United Manager, Jenkins Okardi and Ezougha Queens Coach, Akren Beauty, applauded Premium Trust Bank for investing in grassroots football.
Champions Okoroma United got ₦40,000,000, second placed Akinima/Biogbo went home with ₦13,000,000, Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC who finished third received ₦7,000,000 while 4th placed Krosaders FC smiled home with the sum of ₦2,000,000.
Women’s champions, Active Ladies were rewarded with the sum of ₦10,000,000 for their effort, second position received ₦5,000,000, third placed team got ₦2,000,000 while the 4th placed team got ₦1,000,000, along with other consolation prizes.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
