UNITING THE YOUTH THROUGH FOOTBALL

 Who wins the next edition of Prosperity Cup Football Tournament? asks Werepere Appah                                      

In the words of Kailash Satyarthi, “The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.” These words have built a strong conviction amongst the sponsors and organizers of the “Prosperity Cup” – The Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament.

The Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament aka Prosperity Cup formally called Restoration Cup conceptualized during the tenure of Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has prominently placed Bayelsa State on the local and international maps. The tournament whose sole aim is uniting the youth, talent search, attracting tourists as well as football scouts and academies to Bayelsa State may be described as an exuberant activity where intense competition becomes natural while obeying the rules of the game.

Aside academic exploit, youth involvement in sports have been seen to foster unity as well as major breakthroughs across the globe. Despite the numerous achievement of the Douye Diri led government in the sport sector, the Governor is far from relenting in his effort at bringing out the best from the youth through the Prosperity Cup Tournament.

Sen Douye Diri a sportsman, Pan-Ijaw activist, trained teacher and the driving force behind the fourth and fifth editions of the Prosperity Cup is without doubt amongst the few leaders who still believe that encouraging youth involvement in sports is a major factor in national development. His laudable efforts in stimulating youth empowerment to international levels has made positive impact in the lives of the youths and helped in making the Bayelsa youth identify with the goals of the Prosperity Government.

One Important aspect of the Prosperity cup that has equally caught people’s attention is the continuous contribution of the Deputy Governor, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and The Bayelsa Commissioner for Sports, Mr Igali in advocating for more private sector involvement in grassroots football development and lucrative rewards and endorsement for excelling footballers to encourage excellence amongst the youth. It’s no coincidence that both Bayelsa State owned football teams, The Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens are winning and doing exploits in the Douye Diri led Prosperity Government.

Similarly Ono Akpe, the Director-General of the Prosperity Cup can also be described as a shining example of a ” passionate man” who also believes that young people should be at the forefront of global change and empowerment. Prior to the commencement of the fifth edition of the Governor’s Cup Mr Ono Akpe just like Governor Douye Diri declared his resolve to stop at nothing to see young talented players make the best out of their careers.

Previous editions have produced Ewoama FC of Brass Local Government Area (2015), Peretorugbene FC of Ekeremor (2018), Okolobiri FC of Yenagoa (2019), Eternal Grace Ministry (EGM FC) also of Yenagoa (2022) as champions of the first, second, third and fourth editions respectively of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament. This tournament has seen so many unknown names and faces turn great players. Thus, it is safe to concur with the words of Eduardo Galeano that, “Good soccer players need not to be titans sculpted by Michelangelo. Your ability is much more important than shape, and in many cases, skill is the art of turning limitations into virtue.”

We can say with certainty that a lot has been achieved with this competition as several players discovered from this competition now play in different clubs here and abroad. AITEO CUP winner, Okardi Inikurogha, who won the first edition of this tournament with his team, Ewoama FC of Brass where he also emerged as the MVP is now in France. Here in Bayelsa, about seven players are currently with Bayelsa United. The likes of Christian Mizo, Endurance, Ebedebiri, Bob Philip, all featured in the competition.

Also Tarabina, who won the second edition with Peretorugbene is now playing for Bayelsa United.  The likes of Egah Saviour, Prince Ebiobowei, Onyesom Precious, Noel Nestor, Victory Benaingba and others who have gone abroad, equally played in the previous editions. The 2022 edition alone had a total of 210 community-based teams and attracted International Scouts from France, South Africa, Australia and Eastern Europe.

The 4th edition of the tournament managed by Red Sapphire in support of Governor Douye Diri’s vision of Shared Prosperity had its first and second scouting programs led by Mr Vincent Onyema, Mr Passi Gerald and FIFA Agent Ojo Paul Omamomo amongst others. The fifth edition, Prosperity Cup 2023 comprises of 214 teams cut across all sectors of the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State with 24 Playing centers hosting the 5350 players who are playing for Prosperity. This year’s edition of the Prosperity cup was kick started on the  June 1, 2023 at the Samson Siasia Sports complex in Yenagoa with the Governor, Senator Douye Diri taking the kick-off.

The tournament is expected to come to climax in late June qnd early July with various qualifying stages ranging  from the round of local government finals, 32, 16 quarter-finals to the grand finale with the first, second, third and fourth place overall winners acquiring cash prizes of five million, three million, one and half million respectively as well as  consolation prizes and trophies.

Football according to Gary Linekar, “is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.” In this edition various sponsors/supporters such as Linekage Assurance, Century Oil, Swiss Royal Grill, FIDO Waters, Ayalla Group, Aqualina Waters, DSTV, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, Bayelsa State Football Association, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Ministry of Information, Strategy and Orientation, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs,  as well as international scouts who have pledged their unwavering support to the Prosperity Cup Football Tournament due to the quality and value placed by football lovers on the competition are waiting patiently to see who the next “GERMANS” of the Prosperity Cup Football Tournament will be.

 Appah is a Public Commentator