Gov Diri to declare tournament closed on Sunday

The stage is set for the Final of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, Bayelsa State Governor’s Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup after months of football hostilities.

214 teams registered for this year's edition and played games across 24 centers in the eight local government areas of the State.

In the Final game, Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretorugbene from Ekeremor Local Government Area will engage De Grace FC of Yenagoa on Sunday 30th, July, 2023 at the Samson Siasia Stadium by 3pm.

Director General of the Prosperity Cup Mr Ono Akpe in a statement says the state Governor Douye Diri will perform the kick-off supported by the Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the the State House of Assembly Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Daniel Igali amongst other dignitaries.

Also expected to grace the occasion are members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and State executive council, party chieftains, political appointees, newly appointed LG Council caretaker chairmen,football legends in the country and other stakeholders who will be part of the closing ceremony of the historic tournament.

Other invited guests to witness the epic Finale are the President Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Ibrahim Gusau, NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria National League NNL chairman George Aluo, NNL Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Attah , Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Adesanya and Coaches Monday Odigie, Kennedy Boboye and Imama Amapakabo amongst others.

Mr Akpe explains that in the women's final Golden Sun Sports Academy and Crystal Stars FC will take to the turf first by 1pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium with other side attractions before the Final.

The statement notes that the losers' Final in the women's Prosperity Cup will come up on Saturday by 1pm while the men's third place encounter between Agbere FC of Sagbama and Dream Boys FC of Odi comes at 3pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

According to him, preparations are in top gear towards having an exciting final, urging youths of the state to continue to channel their energies to sports and other positive things that will continue to boost the image of the state.

He thanked the Governor Senator Douye Diri, the deputy Governor, senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali for the undiminished passion towards sports development, stressing that the tournament in the last few months has engaged the minds of youths positively.

To reach the Final, Crusaders Feeders FC beat Agbere FC 2-1 in the semi finals while De Grace FC spanked Dream Boys FC of Odi 2-0.

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