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Bayelsa State has reinforced its growing reputation as a major investor in grassroots sports development after the 2026 edition of the Prosperity Cup delivered what is the biggest prize purse in Nigerian grassroots football.
Champions Okoroma United walked away with ₦40 million following their triumph in the state-backed tournament, underlining the increasing commercial value being attached to the competition.
The Prosperity Cup, sponsored by the Bayelsa State Government and several corporate sponsors, and organised by top sports management brand, Red Sapphire, has rapidly evolved from a football initiative into a high-profile grassroots sports property attracting growing attention from stakeholders across Nigeria’s football ecosystem and beyond the continent.
Speaking at the presentation of cheques to teams, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, the Prosperity Cup has emphasized the importance of grassroots football.
Diri urged coaches in the state to embark on grassroots talents hunt programmes in order to discover talents across different sports, describing grassroots as the bedrock of sports in every society.
Sponsorship
Premium Trust Bank, a financial institution that has shown strong commitment to national development leads the proud list of sponsors.
Others include Linkage Assurance Nig. Ltd, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigeria Customs Service, Binad Table Water, Agco Engineering and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue.
Diri applauded Premium Trust Bank for its premium investment in the development of sports in the State.
Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, who was represented by the Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje, noted that this year’s edition of the tournament was special to the financial institution because it coincides with the bank’s fourth year anniversary.
Beyond competition, the tournament has positioned itself as a development platform for talent discovery, youth engagement, local economic activity and sports business expansion within the Niger Delta region.
With prize money now reaching levels rarely associated with grassroots football in Nigeria, the Prosperity Cup is increasingly being viewed as a model for how sub-national investment can drive sports development while creating commercial opportunities around local football.
Opportunities
For Okoroma United, the Prosperity Cup offers fresh opportunities to further expose its talents to scouts and teams.
Top scorer, Collins Azibola and Erasmus Noble, who a hattrick in the semi-final, both have huge chance to attend trials with teams in the region and take their career to another like previous talents from the competition.
Winners
In separate interviews, Okoroma United Manager, Jenkins Okardi and Ezougha Queens Coach, Akren Beauty, applauded Premium Trust Bank for investing in grassroots football.
Champions: Okoroma United: ₦40,000,000
1st Runner-Up: Akinima/Biogbo: N13,000,000
2nd Runner Up: Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC ₦7,000,000
3rd Runner-Up: Krusaders FC ₦2,000,000.
Women
Active Ladies: ₦10,000,000
1st Runner-Up: ₦5,000,000
2nd Runner Up: ₦2,000,000
3rd Runner Up: ₦1,000,000
