Prosperity Cup 2026 Final Holds Today as Gov Diri Set to Grace Historic Showpiece
The curtain will fall on the 2026 edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, today at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, with Governor Douye Diri expected to officially close the competition.
The grand finale of Season 8 of what is regarded as Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle will feature a thrilling men’s final between Okoroma United of Okoroma in Nembe Local Government Area and Akinima/Biogbo of Ogboloma. The encounter is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
In the women’s category, defending champions Afini Ladies of Amarata will take on Active Ladies of Agudama in the final billed for 1:00 p.m.
A statement issued ahead of the event by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi, disclosed that this year’s final will also witness the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the organisers of the Prosperity Cup and the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy.
According to the statement, the champions of the men’s tournament will receive a cash prize of ₦30 million, while the runners-up will go home with ₦10 million. MLDM FC, which finished third, had earlier received ₦5 million, while fourth-placed Krosaders got ₦2 million.
In the women’s category, the winners will earn ₦10 million, while the second, third and fourth-placed teams will receive ₦5 million, ₦2 million and ₦1 million respectively, alongside other consolation prizes.
Governor Douye Diri will serve as Chief Host of the event, while the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, represented in the statement by Dr. Peter Akpe as Guest of Honour, is also expected at the event. The Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, will host the occasion.
The statement further revealed that the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, will attend as Special Guest of Honour, while former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, is expected to chair the event.
Other top football administrators and dignitaries expected at the final include Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), George Aluo; Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu; and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade.
Mr. Avi added that spectators would also enjoy several side attractions, including raffle draws, free branded jerseys for the first 50 fans, and free health checks for the first 200 spectators, courtesy of the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS).
