Organisers of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, have commenced a two day referees refresher training programme as part of preparations for the upcoming edition of Nigeria’s premier grassroots football competition.
The training, held at the Golden Tulip Resort and Apartments in Onopa, Yenagoa, began with a theoretical session on Tuesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe represented by Deputy Director General Mr. Perela Aboro commended the steady improvement in the performance of Bayelsa State referees over recent editions of the tournament.
He highlighted that ongoing investments in referee development are yielding results, with several Bayelsa born officials gaining international recognition and advancing to higher leagues.
“Five Bayelsa referees are now in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), 12 in the Nigeria National League, and five in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL),” Akpe noted.
He noted that the refresher courses have enhanced officiating quality and urged participants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism during the tournament.
The initiative aligns with the tournament’s broader vision of positioning Bayelsa State as a force in global football through capacity building.
Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Aye Andrew, thanked the organizers for the initiative and encouraged referees to maximize the opportunity for growth.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association (BSFA), Barr. Porbeni Ogun represented by Secretary Mr. Diseye Nwankwe described the refresher course as a strategic investment in the future of football in the state.
He pointed out that since the introduction of regular training, complaints about controversial decisions in the Prosperity Cup have significantly declined.
“The exploits of Bayelsa referees beyond the state are clear evidence of the progress driven by the Prosperity Cup organizers,” he said.
CAF instructor and member of the NFF Referees Committee, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, who led parts of the session, praised the programme for aligning officiating with global best practices.
He encouraged other states to emulate the approach to elevate refereeing standards nationwide.
Richman Otiti and Rachel Onyekwere, who participated in the training programme, acknowledged that the exercise introduced them to new laws of the game, some of which would take effect in June.
The duo expressed gratitude to the organizers for updating them with the latest officiating rules and ensuring that they remained competitive with their counterparts across Nigeria and beyond.
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