Organisers of the , popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, have commenced a two-day refresher course for referees as part of preparations for the next edition of Nigeria’s premier grassroots football competition.
The training programme, which began with a theoretical session on Tuesday, is holding at the Golden Tulip Resort and Apartments in Onopa, Yenagoa, .
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, represented by the Deputy Director General, Mr. Perela Aboro, commended the steady improvement in the performance of referees from the state in recent editions of the competition.
He noted that sustained investments in referee development were yielding positive results, with several Bayelsa-born officials gaining international recognition and advancing to higher leagues.
According to him, five Bayelsa referees are currently officiating in the (NPFL), 12 in the , and five in the (NWFL).
Akpe stressed that the refresher courses have significantly enhanced officiating standards and urged participants to maintain professionalism throughout the tournament.
The initiative, he said, aligns with the broader vision of positioning Bayelsa as a strong force in global football through deliberate capacity building.
Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Aye Andrew, also commended the organisers and encouraged referees to make the most of the training opportunity.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Barr. Porbeni Ogun, represented by the Association’s Secretary, Mr. Diseye Nwankwo, described the refresher course as a strategic investment in the future of football in the state. He observed that complaints over controversial decisions during the Prosperity Cup have reduced considerably since the introduction of regular referee training.
CAF instructor and member of the NFF Referees Committee, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, who facilitated parts of the session, lauded the programme for aligning officiating with global best practices and urged other states to adopt similar initiatives to improve refereeing standards nationwide.
Participants, including Richman Otiti and Rachel Onyekwere, said the training exposed them to new laws of the game, some of which will take effect in June. They expressed appreciation to the organisers for updating them on the latest officiating rules and helping them remain competitive with their counterparts across the country and internationally.
