Ogboinbiri FC emerges champions of 2024 Prosperity Cup

Posted : 22 July 2024

Ogboinbiri FC of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area has emerged champions of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, tagged the "Prosperity Cup".

The oil-rich Ogboinbiri side humbled Nembe City FC 3-0 to lift the sixth edition of the tournament, which was watched by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

Daniel Bekewei put the Ogboinbiri side ahead in the 22nd minute from Bekewei Iladei's beautiful cross as he dribbled past the Nembe City defense line to set up Iladei's chance. Bekewei Iladei doubled the lead for Ogboinbiri FC in the 29th minute from a defensive blunder by the Nembe side, sending Ogboinbiri fans into a rapturous celebration.

Bekewei Iladei compounded the woes of Nembe City FC upon resumption, making it 3-0 from a solo move as he slotted the ball into the back of the net to secure victory for the Southern Ijaw side.

Earlier in the women's final, Niger Delta University Queens beat high-scoring Peremo Soccer Academy 1-0 to lift the women's trophy. Osiga Gloria's goal 2 minutes into the game gave the Amassoma side the victory.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, in a remark, said that since his appointment as sports minister, Governor Douye Diri remains one of the governors in Nigeria who have continued to give premium attention to the sports ministry. He noted that he rescheduled his trip to Germany just to be in Yenagoa for the finals.

Senator Enoh noted that the Prosperity Cup resonates with the policies and programs of the Ministry of Sports Development, which aims to take grassroots sports to another level, describing the grassroots as the future of Nigerian sports.

He commended the governor for sustaining the tournament, urging the next administration to continue with the competition that has become a launch pad for the development of youths in the state. He maintained that he was impressed with the quality of football exhibited by the players.

Governor Douye Diri, in an address, noted that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for sports to thrive, describing sports as a huge investment and calling 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, which has continued to engage the youths positively. He expressed his pleasure with the progress of the tournament after six editions.

The state's helmsman noted that the introduction of the women's tournament would help consolidate the achievements recorded by Bayelsa Queens, saying that the prize money for the women's tournament would improve in the next edition to further encourage women's football.

While congratulating both winners and all the participating teams for their show of dexterity throughout the game, the governor commended the tournament organizers for their thoroughness and commitment throughout the competition.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, also praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his “outstanding contributions” to the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, in a welcome address, appreciated the governor for ensuring that the tournament reached its sixth edition, explaining that the competition in the last few years has engaged over ten thousand youths across the state.

Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, in an interview, asserted that he was elated with the massive turnout of fans, adding that this year's competition has positively impacted referees and coaches.

Champions Ogboinbiri FC smiled home with a sum of five million naira (5,000,000.00), runner-up Nembe City got two and a half million naira (2,500,000.00), third place Bayelsa United Feeders received one and a half million naira (1,500,000.00), while fourth place Kongho FC got one million naira (1,000,000.00). Quarter-finalists were rewarded with two hundred and fifty thousand naira (250,000.00) each.

The women's champions, NDU Queens, received one million naira (1,000,000.00); second place Peremo Soccer Academy received seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (750,000.00); third place Afini Ladies went home with three hundred and fifty thousand naira (350,000.00); and quarter-finalists received one hundred thousand naira (100,000.00) each.

Para Soccer champions, Leave Am For Me FC, got six hundred and fifty thousand naira (650,000.00), and second place Hon Igali FC received three hundred and fifty thousand naira (350,000.00), amounting to a total of fifty million naira (50,000,000.00).

Ogboinbiri FC goalkeeper Nigeria Godgift won the best player of the tournament, Bekewei Iladei emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with seven goals and was also the most valuable player of the competition, while Anderson Blessing of NDU Queens was crowned with the golden shoe of the tournament.

Dignitaries present included Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, represented by the chairman of the Edo Sports Commission, Hon. Yussuf Alli; Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim; Members of the State House of Assembly; members of the state executive council; former senators; and permanent secretaries, among others.

Ogboinbiri FC emerges champions of 2024 Prosperity Cup

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