Stakeholders in the football ecosystem of Bayelsa State, have hailed the decision taken by the Disciplinary Committee of the Central Organizing Committee of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, to disqualify Bayelsa Queens Feeders from the competition.
Bayelsa Queens Feeders were disqualified from further participation in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle for fielding an ineligible player.
In a letter of protest dated 21st of April, 2026, the Federal University Otuoke, FUO Queens are complaining that Bayelsa Queens Feeders, in a match against them, decided at the Swali centre on Tuesday, 21st of April, 2026, fielded Mary Jane, Glory Tom and Precious Odogwu, all players who have previously played football outside the shores of Nigeria, which is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the tournament viz Article VI, Section 1, sub-section 2(b) (iv).
In deciding the matter, the Prosperity Cup Disciplinary Committee was able to establish beyond every reasonable doubt that Glory Tom and Precious Odogwu had indeed plied their trade with Tigress FC of Benin Republic, thus falling foul of the provisions of Article VI, Section 1, sub-section 2(b) (iv), which provides that “Any player that has played for any club outside the country is not allowed to play in this tournament.”
Bayelsa Queens Feeders were therefore disqualified from further participating in the 2026 edition of the tournament while the match, which Bayelsa Queens Feeders had earlier won, was awarded to Federal University Otuoke, FUO Queens.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Women’s tournament, Mr Zuzu Ebimotimi, said the judgement of the committee reflects the transparency and high level of impartiality in the tournament, maintaining that every team in the competition must abide by the rules and regulations of the tournament.
He noted that if such disciplinary actions are not taken such misconducts would defeat the essence of the competition, which is to discover budden talents at the grassroots, urging coaches and managers to do thorough check on their teams to avoid being disqualified from the tournament.
Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi commended the committee for its display of professionalism, stating that the disciplinary committee has so far demonstrated that no team is bigger than disqualification from the tournament.
According to him, the Prosperity Cup has become a veritable platform for grassroots players in the State, maintaining that if drastic punitive actions were not taken against defaulting teams, it will de-market the tournament that has continued to attract international attention.
Lending his voice to the decision of the Disciplinary Committee is the chairman of the Bayelsa State Grassroots Coaches Association, Anthony Fouye, described the verdict of the committee as “bold”, that the ruling has not only addressed those concerns but has also restored confidence in the system.
He noted that the rules and regulations guiding the tournament remain supreme and should be applied without bias or favouritism, maintaining that the verdict has encouraged everyone to take the competition more seriously and as well strengthened trust in the organizers.
”I wish to sincerely commend the Disciplinary Committee for the bold and fair verdict delivered in the case involving Bayelsa Queens Feeders” he stated.
Also, Hope Alive FC coach, Mere Freeborn asserted that the action will serve as a deterrent to other teams that might want to exploit the system, pointing out that it has renewed the hopes of coaches.
