June 24, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) FC have been crowned champions of the Yenagoa Local Government Area finals in the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, aka Prosperity Cup.
BMU joined Movers FC of Otuasega, Ogboinbiri FC, Agbere FC, Krusaders Feeders FC, Odi United, Kongho United and Nembe City who won their respective local government finals after a week of electrifying grassroots football.
BMU FC beat Afini FC 2-1 to clinch the trophy in the Yenagoa Local Government final decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium in an encounter watched by the Chairman of Yenagoa, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, vice chairperson, supervisory councillors, political appointees and top government functionaries.
Japhet Freedom put BMU FC ahead in the 37th minute from a close-range header, having dominated the proceedings. Afini FC responded immediately in an exhilarating fashion with Adela Oyimesini’s 39th-minute beautiful finish.
Afini FC, who took full control of the game on resumption, went to sleep as Agono Zilary capitalised on a defensive blunder in the 62nd minute to double the lead for the free-scoring BMU side.
Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, in a remark, noted that there has been a huge improvement in the tournament compared to previous editions, describing the 2024 spectacle as wonderful, adding that the tournament has brought peace and unity amongst communities in the State.
Ndiwari hailed the Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe and his team for the smooth organisation so far in the tournament, pointing out that he was impressed with the massive turnout of fans in the various local government finals.
The council boss announced a cash reward of N300,000 for champions BMU FC while the second runner-up, Afini FC, got N150,000. He urged all the teams in Yenagoa LGA that have qualified for the round of 32 to put up a good fight.
He promised a cash reward of N1 million for any team from Yenagoa LGA that emerges champions in season six of the Prosperity Cup, calling on the youths in the State to make use of the platform.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, represented by the Assistant Director, Human Resources, Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere, charged all the players selected for the scouting exercise to make use of the opportunity.
The Commissioner thanked the various local government chairmen for their involvement in the tournament, noting that the 2024 edition has brought football closer to the people at the grassroots, particularly with the introduction of the LGA finals.
Chairman, Board of Trustee, Prosperity Cup and South-South Zonal Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Felix Omemo, thanked the Bayelsa State Government and the organisers of the tournament for initiating the LGA finals.
Also, Deputy Director-General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Emmanuel Appiah, asserted that the scouting exercise slated for June ending would provide another opportunity for Bayelsa youths to showcase their talents to the world.
He appreciated the Yenagoa LGA Chairman for the unflinching support towards hosting a successful final in the LGA, pointing out that the essence of the scouting programme was to market Bayelsa players to the world.
Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboroson, lauded both teams for the show of professionalism throughout the game, maintaining that he is optimistic about seeing Bayelsa players in Europe.
Organisers of the tournament presented a plaque and N100,000 to BMU FC, a plaque and N50,000 to runner-up, Afini FC and an award to the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government, Hon. Buloudisiye Ndiwari, for the endless support towards the development of sports in Bayelsa.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
