July 22, (THEWILL) – In an exclusive interview with THEWILL’s DAVID OWEI, Mr Ono Akpe, the director general of the Prosperity Cup project, shared some remarkable insights about the tournament in Bayelsa state. He emphasised the tremendous support received from both local and international media outlets, stating: “We have had wonderful and exciting media support from AIT, ARISETV, Channels TV, Brilla FM, and others. This year, we are in touch with sports giants, SuperSports (DSTV), and the international media group.”
Discussing the inception of the Prosperity Cup, Akpe said: “The Bayelsa State Governors Cup, also known as Prosperity Cup, is a tournament held in support of the Governor, Senator Douye Diri’s efforts to positively engage youths through sports… It commenced in 2015 during the tenure of former Governor Seriake Dickson with 110 community teams from clubs, religious bodies, and tertiary institutions.”
When addressing the financial aspect of organising such a vast tournament, Akpe acknowledged the crucial support from the Bayelsa State Government, Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakjpo, and Commissioner of Sports, Olympian Daniel Igali. However, he called for more involvement from the oil companies: “Very sadly, we expect more from the oil industry… Unfortunately, despite our concerted efforts, they have not been able to do anything for us. We expect that more organizations and corporate entities will do more for us as their Corporate Social Responsibility.”
Highlighting the significant impact of the Prosperity Cup, Akpe shared inspiring success stories of young players discovered through the tournament: “The last edition attracted not only international football scouts but also attracted a lot of local scouts as well… We want more academies to come and take our boys to go through good schools and to foreign clubs thereafter. We want them to have an education and a career in football so they can have something to fall back on when their playing days are over.”
Looking ahead to this year’s edition, Akpe revealed plans to introduce a female tournament segment: “This year, and very importantly, we want to introduce the female tournament segment… We want to be gender-friendly and give the ladies the chance to also exhibit their talents.”
In conclusion, the Prosperity Cup has undoubtedly transformed Bayelsa State into a hub of football excellence, as Akpe lauded the continuous support from former Governor Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and the current sports-loving Governor Senator Douye Diri. With the forthcoming tournament expected to attract around 250 teams, the Prosperity Cup remains a beacon of hope for nurturing outstanding football talents and empowering the youth in Bayelsa state.
About the Author
