PROSPERITY CUP 2022: Sports, A Cardinal Focus of Our Administration – Gov. Diri . . . Eternal Grace Ministry FC, Yenagoa Clinches Trophy
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by Chris Mark The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has stated that his administration will continue to make sports one of the cardinal focus of his government.
Governor Diri made the statement at the grand finale of the largest and most prestigious grassroots football tournament in the country, Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the ‘Prosperity Cup’, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, on Tuesday, July 19th.
He said more sporting events would soon be unfolded.
Governor Diri urged the youths and sports stakeholders to up their game and get ready for the competitions, adding that he would ensure that the state is regarded as the home of sports in the country.
Expressing delight, the governor described the just concluded national scrabble tournament which ended at the weekend in Yenagoa, where over two hundred players from all over the country participated, as one of the best event ever, going by the accolades he is receiving from stakeholders of the scrabble federation.
Speaking on the Governor’s Cup, the State Chief Executive congratulated the finalists, and all the 206 teams that participated in the competition, advising the losers to brave up for the next edition.
Governor Diri, while presenting the trophy and prize money to the winners, Eternal Grace Ministry (EGM) FC, stressed that sports remains a veritable tool towards engaging youth in the state, and while his government was willing to do more, youth are encouraged to shun cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices, capable of ruining their lives.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, expressed his appreciation to the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and others who contributed to the success of the tournament, adding that the competition has become the cynosure of all eyes in the country, following the visitation of both foreign and local scouts that graced the tournament to hunt for players.
Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Medical Committee member, Dr. Peter Singabele, and representative of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFA), also eulogized the Governor for throwing his weight behind the soccer tournament, as a yearly competition of such to the state to the pinnacle in terms of availability of young talents for clubs within and outside the country.
The curtains of the fourth edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, the Prosperity Cup, was finally dropped at the Samson Siasia stadium, with hard fighting Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC of Yenagoa, winning the tournament in a dramatic fashion, against the Ocean boys, Odioma FC of Brass.
The game started with both sides showing their dexterity and determination, but it was the Brass side, Odioma FC that drew first blood as early as in the 8th minute, after Ayebaekipreye Kumolayefa slotted home in a beautiful style from a corner kick.
The ocean-siders continued to dominate the game, but couldn’t create more chances and increase their lead, until the Yenagoa based Religious institution settled into the game, and started aiming for an equaliser.
After sustained pressure, the opportunity came for EGM FC courtesy of a penalty after the centre referee pointed to the spot following an infringement by the captain of Odioma FC, and striker, was given the responsibility to draw level, but Odioma’s goalkeeper, Ibibo Krukrubo, was too good, as he parried the spot kick away and the resultant reward went wide from the top bar.
The entertaining game finally turned round for EGM FC. After several attempts to draw level. Workalic winger, Daniel Goodnews equalised for his team in the 75th minute to send his teammates and fans into wild jubilation, and when the Ocean-siders were still trying to wake up from the equaliser, EGM FC added salt to injury in the following minute.
Valentine Hamilton managed to wade off the rushing goalkeeper of Odioma, and then lob into the box which was met by Stephen, who only had to head the ball into an empty net, a goal that sealed the winner for EGM FC.
In the third place match, Agbere FC of Sagbama proved their superiority over Ogbia based Anyama FC, after the former won 3-2 to emerge as the third best team.
Ajan Maginton’s double, and Ikari Annointed gave Agbere FC the lead in first half, while at the resumption, Anyama Ogbia proved that they are not pushovers, with their reliable goalpoacher, Azibapu Vincent, who increased his tally to nine(9) goals in the tournament, and midfieler, Gift Agala, finding the back of the net to reduce the deficit.
Winners, EGM FC of Yenagoa went with a reward of five million naira(#5,000,000), first runner up Odioma FC got a reward of two point five million naira(#2,500,000), third place winners, Agbere FC received one million naira (1,000,000) for their efforts, while Anyama Ogbia, were rewarded with five hundred naira (#500,000) for their fourth place finish and the four quarterfinalist that lost their encounter, received N200,000 consolation prizes each.
