Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and Premium Trust Bank have announced cash rewards for Bayelsa Queens after winning the 2024/2025 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) season.
According to Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the announcements were made during the 167th State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, where the team presented the NWFL Premiership trophy to Governor Diri.
The Governor, delighted by the team’s unbeaten run and second league title in three years, praised the players and officials for their exceptional performance.
He awarded N4 million each to the 26 players and the head coach, Ogbonda Whyte, while the eight assistant coaches received N2 million each.
Additional rewards included N3 million for the club chairman, N1 million each to six board members, N1.5 million to each backroom staff, and N3 million to the team’s supporters club.
Governor Diri urged the team to maintain their momentum as they prepare to represent Nigeria at the WAFU B regional qualifiers in Ivory Coast ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco.
“In 2022, you went to the WAFU B qualifier and won it for Nigeria. Now you’re going again, not just as Bayelsa Queens but as Nigerian Queens. Show the indomitable Bayelsa spirit and bring the trophy home,” Diri said.
He expressed optimism that the Federal Government would support Bayelsa Queens, citing President Bola Tinubu’s support for the Super Falcons as an encouraging precedent.
The Governor also commended Premium Trust Bank for its continued partnership in sports development and support for Bayelsa Queens. Representing the bank’s Managing Director, Chief Business Officer, Offiong Aniebet announced a N2 million reward for each player and technical crew member.
Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, described Bayelsa Queens as “defining champions”, highlighting their bronze medal feat at the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League, the only Nigerian team to achieve such a result.
He thanked Governor Diri for his consistent support, which he said has positioned Bayelsa as a powerhouse in women’s football both domestically and continentally.
