Bayelsa Diri Urges Corporate Support For Return Of Annual State Sports Festival

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the annual Bayelsa State Sports Festival introduced a few years back.

The Governor, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe, made the appeal shortly after the weekly Prosperity Walk and formal presentation of cheques to Prosperity Cup winners, by the Premium Trust Bank at the Main Bowl of Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

He stated that for the growth of different sporting activities in the state, a deliberate programme for talent hunts and development must be revived and sustained to catch them young from the grassroots, just the current Sports Commissioner, Hon. Dr. Daniel Baraladei Igali, OLY, was discovered many years ago in wrestling.

He decried the poaching of talents from other states for national competitions and stressed the need for deliberate development of homegrown athletes in Bayelsa.

The Governor commended organizers of the Prosperity Cup for reawakening grassroots sports development in the state through football.

He disclosed that talks have resumed with the Sports Commissioner, with plans underway to organize local government and state sports festivals to scout talent from the grassroots.

“This is the time for the state to take a deliberate, intentional approach that will foster credible sports development across every corner of Bayelsa,” he said.

Th thanked participants for turning out en masse for the exercise, noting that the weekly walk promotes healthier and wealthier lifestyles.

He stressed that government investment should inspire more inclusive sports development, adding that sports should not be left solely to government.

“Government should ordinarily be tasked with creating an enabling environment for sports to thrive,” he said.

He urged corporate organizations, industries, and individuals to emulate Premium Trust Bank and other Prosperity Cup sponsors, citing the dividends of such investment.

He commended Premium Trust Bank and invited the bank to partner with the state for the successful hosting of the State Sports Festival, last held three years ago in 2023.

He expressed confidence that funds for the festival can be raised through the expertise of Prosperity Cup organizers and private partners without direct government intervention.

The Governor also acknowledged the state’s para-athletes for their second-place finish at the last Para Games, assuring them of government recognition and rewards in due course.

Premium Trust Bank MD/CEO, Dr. Emmanuel Emefienim, CON, represented by South-South Regional Manager, Mr. Danjuma Omeje, said Season 8 of the Prosperity Cup was special as it coincided with the bank’s fourth anniversary.

He noted a landmark achievement: the bank posted ₦177 billion Profit Before Tax, a first in Nigeria’s banking history. Omeje added that the bank takes pride in partnering with Bayelsa on sports development and will remain committed.

Prosperity Cup Director-General , Mr. Ono Akpe thanked Governor Diri and Bayelsans for their overwhelming support.

He announced that Coach Augustine Eguavoen and his technical team have selected five Prosperity Cup talents to join the Flying Eagles squad for national camping in Abuja from Sunday, 24 May 2026.

Four players will join the U-20 team and one the U-23 team ahead of final screening for both age-grade national teams. He said the invited players will receive full support to make the final cut.

He also revealed that, for the first time, the Prosperity Cup champions and a tournament select team have secured a slot in the Nationwide League One, starting 24 June 2026.

Ono Akpe added that the NLO has formally requested to make Yenagoa an official center for the tournament, describing it as welcome news for sports and football development in Bayelsa State.