By: Odeh Ramon, Yenagoa.

‎The Central Organizing Committee of Nigeria’s largest grassroots football showpiece, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, has disqualified two teams, Larama FC and Merriment FC, from participating in this year’s edition of the tournament.
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‎The announcement of their disqualification is contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi.
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‎According to him, the disqualification became imperative following both teams’ failure to return their completed registration forms and players’ licenses as of the close of registration, and therefore they stand disqualified for the tournament.
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‎The statement, which noted that the disqualified teams, both from Ekeremor Local Government Area, by their failure to return their registration forms and players’ licences, violated the competition’s rules.

Article VI Section 1, Sub-section 1(b) states that “All teams, upon registration must collect their players’ registration form, rules & regulations, and subsequently licences, and submit within the stipulated time given by the Secretariat. The Secretariat shall not be held responsible for a team’s failure to collect their licenses.”

‎It notes that an official of the tournament had repeatedly contacted both teams’ officials to remind them that they were yet to return or complete their registration formalities, pointing out that the teams in question returned the forms two weeks after the competition had started.
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‎Mr. Avi urged all the participating teams to familiarize themselves with the rules of the competition and uphold the same, and not to exhibit attitudes that are capable of maligning the reputation of the tournament.