Organisers of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament have approved the inclusion of three professional players by each team.
The addition of the three professional players, from all intents and purpose, is to glamorise the grassroots competition and boost its status.
The provision for clubs to include three professional players in their teams is fashioned after the football event of the Olympic Games, which has room for each team to field three over-aged players in a competition designed for Under-23 players.
Before this innovation, the tournament, which is a talent hunt competition, had been exclusively for amateur players.
The Tournament Director, Mr. Perela Aboroson, while reflecting on the success story of the competition over the years, hinted that this year's edition, the seventh in the series, would accommodate three professional players.
He said the Prosperity Cup has positively impacted the lives of the youths in Bayelsa, pointing out that beyond winning trophies, the tournament has given young players a means of livelihood.
Mr. Aboroson, who believes that with the N50 million prize money this year, the showpiece will witness unprecedented improvement compared to previous editions of the tournament, disclosed that five players from the tournament's scouting programme would be leaving Bayelsa for Lithuania, Malta and Turkey this month for greener pasture.
In a chat with Nigerdeltaconnect.com, Technical Director of the tournament, Diseye Nwankwe, who doubles as the Secretary of the State F.A. said, "three professional players of 30 years and below are allowed in this year's edition. They must be Bayelsans by origin and are currently not attached to any NPFL or NNL team, meaning they must be currently club-less to be eligible".
Meanwhile, opinions have been divided concerning the inclusion of professional players. While some believe it is a laudable decision, others think it negates the very essence of the tournament, which is to scout for talents at the grassroots.
A football enthusiast, Martins Ekiyor said it is a step in the right direction and the organisers should be commended for thinking outside the box.
According to Ekiyor, "I think it is a good development. It is a step in the right direction. Sports, and particularly football, is evolving everyday. Some people believe it will take the shine off the competition but I think otherwise. Rather it will uplift the status of the competition. If organisers of the football event of the Olympics, in their wisdom, can add three over-aged players, then what is wrong if we do something similar with our own home-grown competition. I am in total support of the very innovative idea".
An ex-footballer who prefers not to be named said there is nothing wrong with the decision. He went on to suggest that it will elevate the status of the competition and give it more quality.
Another respondent, Miene Botu said for him it does not matter whether professional players are allowed or not, pointing out that it does not change anything. "There is no point making an issue out of it, to the extent that the provision is open to all the teams", he enthused.
Reacting to the development, a sports commentator, the Lakeside Tactician said he is not too comfortable with the decision.
According to him, "The competition has been labeled as the biggest grassroots tournament in Nigeria. It has further been credited with the departure of some of its scouted grassroot players out of the shores of the country and this is a remarkable achievement.
"The idea of introducing three pro players will jeopardize the effort of the promoters in sustaining the values originally intended.
"In addition, mercenaries will hijack the competition for personal gains. In my opinion, it's not a good idea".
On his part, Sports Editor, New Waves newspaper, Loveday Herbert said, "This may be abused. Amateurism tournament should be allowed to thrive. I don't see the motive behind it. In the past, many participating clubs have been caught in the web of fielding such players. Now, that the prize money has been increased, there is the tendency that it may worsen".
