By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
Organisers of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football tournament, the Prosperity Cup, have announced a coaching clinic for 40 coaches to enhance their capacity, as part of the 8th edition of the competition.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, disclosed this at a press conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He said the coaching clinic will run from February 23 to 26, 2026, providing modern coaching skills to boost tactical competence.
Akpe revealed a partnership with Barcelona Academy to train players selected from the Bayelsa Academy, with coaches from Barcelona FC, adding that an agreement has also been reached with an agency in the Netherlands to manage the development of young players from the academy.
He said organisers have also scheduled a one-week refresher training for referees, a three-day intensive medical training for tournament medical teams and personnel of participating teams, and a one-day training for sports journalists and tournament coordinators.
He further said to mark the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State’s creation, prize money for this year’s Prosperity Cup has been increased to N80 million, adding that in the male category, the winner will receive N30 million, first runner-up N10 million, third place N5 million, fourth place N2 million, and consolation prizes of N4 million, including cash for LGA winners and runner-ups.
According to him, in the female category, the winner will receive N10 million, second place N5 million, third place N2 million, fourth place N1 million, and N500,000 for consolation prizes while In para soccer, the winner will receive N1 million and second place N500,000.
The Director General of the Prosperity Cup noted that the tournament will commence on March 1, 2026, with the official kickoff on February 19 to mark ta one week celebration of the 6th anniversary of the Prosperity Government.
Akpe commended Governor Senator Douye Diri for his support, noting that 50% of the prize money is sourced from sponsors, and called on multinational oil companies, NDDC, NCDMB, and other corporate bodies to support the tournament.
Tournament Director Mr. Ebi Avi added that the competition will start on March 1 across 30 centres in eight LGAs of the state, with the grand finale at Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on May 2, 2026.
