By Ojeikere Aikhoje
With the kick off in Brass and Nembe, two Nigerian communities geographically positioned by the Atlantic Ocean, action has resumed in the 2025 Prosperity Cup, Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament.
Initially called Restoration Cup and later renamed Prosperity Cup, Bayelsa is stepping up efforts to develop the next generation of footballing talent.
In terms of numbers, no State in Nigeria comes close to what has been achieved in the Prosperity Cup.
Backed by his passion for youth empowerment and growth, Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has been intentional about the growth of the tournament.
The state is capitalizing on one of its strongest assets – a youth population available and ready to work on its football talents.
Backed by the passion of Diri, it has become the home of grassroots football in Nigeria.
No surprise it has been able to reach the height attained since the inaugural edition in 2015.
“The Prosperity Cup has given hope to the youths. Scouts have come to see raw talents”, he said at the closing ceremony of the 2024 edition.
Truth be told, what has taken place in Bayelsa State, under Diri’s leadership is nothing short of a revolution in the story of grassroot football in Nigeria.
Impact
Communal interaction is guaranteed as the Prosperity Cup creates a new vista to enhance youth development.
Speaking at the final of the 2024 edition, Diri noted that his administration would continue to create enabling environment for sports to thrive, describing sports as a huge investment, and called on the youths in the state to be focused and not be distracted.
According to him, “the crime rate in the state has reduced drastically as a result of the tournament that has continued to be the vehicle that has engaged the youths positively, stressing that he was pleased with the progress of the tournament after six editions”.
He added that the introduction of the women’s tournament would help to consolidate on the achievements recorded by Bayelsa Queens an promised that the prize money of the women’s tournament would improve in the next edition to further encourage women’s football.
Sustainability
Bayelsa is the only State in Nigeria that has built a sustainable grassroots tournament that is all inclusive.
To underscore its grassroots appeal, matches are played on 24 community fields spread across the state.
Interestingly, the private sector has since identified the Prosperity Cup as a viable investment for the communities and youths.
The importance of the commitment of youths across the state to the Prosperity Cup cannot be overemphasized.
It is a project that has been accepted by all and every year the number continues to increase.
Scouts have been able to identify talents who now play for clubs in Nigeria and Europe.
2025
No fewer than 231 male teams, 22 female teams and 4 para football teams have since registered for the competition.
Speaking on SuperSport’s NaijaMade, a programme dedicated to Nigerian football, on DStv, Director-General of the Prosperity Cup, Ono Akpe, revealed that the prize money for all categores have been increased.
He said: “The prize money has moved to N50million, thanks to our sponsors”.
Akpe added that no boost human capacity building amongst Coaches and Referees, programmes were organised ahead of the 2024 edition.
“A coaching programme that attracted 50 grassroots Coaches was organised. We are grateful to the Nigeria Football Federation for allowing its Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, a former captain of the Super Eagles, to oversee the Coaching programme.
“In addition, 103 Referees, who will officiate in the Prosperity Cup, went through a refresher course”, Akpe stated.Expect the best of grassroots football as Diri has provided the platform for the youths to be engaged positively as well as a vehicle to stimulate youth empowerment.
