Bayelsa State Partners with Barcelona to Launch Soccer Academy
Bayelsa State has entered into a partnership with Spanish football powerhouse Barcelona to establish a soccer academy aimed at nurturing local talent. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Daniel Igali, the state’s Commissioner for Sports, and Mr. Bernat Villa Garis, representing Barcelona, during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governors Football Tournament, known as the Prosperity Cup 2026. This event took place on Friday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Excitement Surrounds the Tournament Finale
The signing ceremony attracted notable figures from the sports community, including Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the federation’s general secretary. In the men’s final, Okoloma United from Nembe Local Government Area narrowly triumphed over Akinyima Biogbo from Yenagoa, winning 1-0 and securing a prize of N40 million, while Akinyima Biogbo took home N13 million as runners-up.
Women’s Football Also Shines
In the women’s category, Agudama’s Active Ladies overcame the defending champions, Amarata’s Afini Ladies, by the same one-goal margin, winning N10 million. The runners-up received N7 million, highlighting the growing competitiveness and popularity of women’s football in the region.
Governor Diri Champions Youth Development
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with one of Europe’s leading football clubs. He emphasized that this agreement would create more opportunities for youth in the state to engage positively in sports and avoid negative influences. Governor Diri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in sports and announced plans to complete a 30,000-seater stadium by 2027.
Growth of the Prosperity Cup
Since its inception in 2020, the Prosperity Cup has evolved significantly under Diri’s leadership, becoming one of the largest grassroots football tournaments in Nigeria. The governor commended the players for their skill and noted that many participants hail from the local area. He highlighted football’s potential to uplift youth and praised the efforts of the tournament’s organizing committee and sponsors.
Corporate Support Vital for Development
Governor Diri encouraged corporate entities to emulate the commitment shown by sponsors, including Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance PLC, and others. He remarked on the substantial increase in participation, acknowledging that the tournament expanded from 100 teams in the previous year to 227 this year, now featuring women’s and para categories as well.
Concerns for Bayelsa United in Professional League
Despite the success of the tournament, Governor Diri expressed concern regarding the underwhelming performance of Bayelsa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League this season. He urged the management and the Sports Commissioner to ensure that the team avoids relegation to lower divisions.
Barcelona Representatives Acknowledge Local Talent
Following the MoU signing, Mr. Garis remarked on the abundance of talent he observed during his visit. He expressed Barcelona’s eagerness to collaborate in player and coach development, signaling the club’s commitment to nurturing sports in Bayelsa. Pinnick echoed these sentiments, praising the Diri administration’s proactive approach to sports development.
Support from Financial Institutions
Dr. Emmanuel Emefienim, the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting sports development in the region. His remarks underscore the financial sector’s growing role in promoting athletics in Bayelsa. Additionally, significant monetary contributions were made by various stakeholders, further enhancing the tournament’s prize pool and fostering a vibrant sports culture in the state.
