Participating teams in the 2025 edition of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament have known their opponents as organisers of the competition conclude the draws on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
The conduct of the draws took place at the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital with representatives and officials from the various participating teams in attendance. Key actors in the sports industry in Bayelsa also witnessed the ceremony.
A total of 255 teams registered for the Prosperity Cup Season Seven, 231 in the men's category and 24 in the female category. The teams will be battling for supremacy in 25 centers across the eight local government areas of the state.
Defending champions, Ogboinbiri FC, playing at the Oporoma centre in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, will be hoping to subdue Ikianbiri FC, Ludoun FC, Oyoma FC, Amatuburu FC and Otuan FC, as they seek to defend their title.
The champions of 2023, Krusaders FC of Peretorugbene community will struggle to navigate their way around Samba Boys FC, Ayamasa FC and Isampou Town at the Ekeremor Town center while at the Ogboloma centre in Yenagoa Local Government Area, 2022 winners, Eternal Grace Ministries (EGM) are drawn on bye. Bayelsa Football Academy, Kingdom Stars FC as well as Biseni United are also on bye.
In the other fixtures in the Ogboloma centre, Igbogene FC will lock horns with Taylor Creek FC; Church of God Mission will tackle Salvation Ministries, Obunagha; Gbarain Youth FC will do battle with Goshen FC while TNC FC will be laying ambush for Wings FC.
And at the Nembe centre in Nembe Local Government Area, last year's finalists, Nembe City will face either Respect FC, Ultimate Lakers, Etie FC, Okoroba FC, Fantuo FC, Tbbe FC or Fisherman Son FC. as they aspire to make progress in mega bucks competition.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (NUJ/SWAN) team will be seeking to rubbish their opponents when they square up against Odi United, Sabagreia Boys, Sampou FC, Kings Warriors of Igbedi and Creek FC at the Ekpuwari-Opokuma center in Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area.
Ogbia champions, Mover's FC of Otuasega will take on Milcom FC, Otuoke Pain FC, Emeyal 2 FA, Rising Stars FC of Oruma, Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti, Kolo 3 FC, Global FC and Jerry FC of Ogbia Town at the Imiringi center.
Speaking during the draws, Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, urged the players of the various participating teams to conduct themselves with utmost responsibility, adding that apart from the huge prize money at stake, organisers of the tournament have concluded plans to select man of the match after every game.
According to him, the man of the match prize money would be paid to the individual's account immediately after the game.
He noted that all the center coordinators, coaches and the media would work hand in glove with the scouting team led by Tournament Director, Perela Aboroson to identify outstanding players across the different centers.
The DG, who noted that the organisers are working round the clock to ensure that teams get more financial support in the tournament, explained that allowances would be given to teams that qualifed to the round of 32 in the competition.
