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AFN holds extra-ordinary congress in Yenagoa …Commends state’s resurgence in Athletics

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Gov.Douye Diri of Bayelsa state

By David Owei ,Baylesa

Following Bayelsa’s emergence as champions of the first ever Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, the President of Athletics Federation Nigeria, AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa, has congratulated the state for its rising profile in athletics, which obviously was instrumental to their success at the festival.

Recall that Bayelsa won a total of nine (9) medals in athletics, comprising of three(3) gold, five (5) silver, and one(1) bronze, while the Para-athletes garnered ten (10) medals – four (4) gold, three(3) silver and three(3) bronze, making it one it’s highest number of medals in athletics in recent times.

Chief Okowa, who was speaking with newsmen shortly after the AFN’s Extraordinary Congress held in Yenagoa on Thursday, urged the state to sustain their recent feat in athletics, assuring that the federation will now beam its searchlight on the state for rising talents that will make the country proud at subsequent events.

The AFN President who also commended the initiative of the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri to build a new modern stadium, assured that the federation is working towards becoming the first to attract a major championship to the state, when the stadium is completed.

“We have promised the Governor that when the stadium is ready, we will be coming here and I pray that athletics will be the first to use that stadium, by the Grace of God, and I can tell you that anytime there is any athlete we feel is good to be discovered, we will pick up that athlete, just as we are happy with one of your daughters in school, who is still making wave this year, that is Tima Godbless, so same thing we will do when we see more”, he said.

Speaking on the resolution of the AFN congress attended by delegates across the country, Chief Okowa noted that an elective committee has been set up to plan and conduct the next Federation election billed for next month in Delta State.

“We deliberated on a lot of matters, which of course you know that our electoral congress is already around the corner, so we looked into some grey areas in our constitution that will help fine-tune our electoral guidelines.”

“We have appointed a seven-man electoral committee and a secretary. This committee will organize the elections and they will follow the guidelines as stipulated by the constitution.”

“We also picked up dates, the zonal elections will come up between 14th and 16th of May, and that of the President, the first and second Vice President will come up on the 31st of May.”

He noted that the current board under his leadership has done well judging by its achievements throughout its tenure, while emphasizing that the poor performance of Nigeria’s athletic contingent at the last Paris Olympics has been thoroughly looked into, with a view of ensuring that the country performs better at subsequent Olympics and other world championships.

“This board has done a very good job. We had issues but we were able to surmount them. Though what happened in Paris was a shame to Nigeria. A lot of things went wrong, and I can tell you that we didn’t prepare like a country preparing for Olympics, because we didn’t have funds until two weeks to the Olympics, and what can we do at that point?”

“Some of our athletes are abroad while others are here in Nigeria, we have just discovered about four young athletes and we have taken their names down for testing, and will follow them up between now and the World championships in May in Tokyo because that is what is next for Athletics now. We also have a championship coming up in May and that’s the world relays, and it will avail us the opportunity to qualify in all our relays for the next championship, so we pray that we prepare well, and the Sports Commission will help us prepare well so we rewrite all our wrongs.”

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria President concluded by appreciating the Governor for all his doing for sports development in Nigeria, which among other things include the hosting of the Nigerian Olympic Committee NOC, Nigerian Referees Council NRA, and now the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Prior to the extraordinary congress the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, received board members of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, where he welcomed them to the state and wished the federation a happy and successful deliberations.

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More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney ‎ ‎… As Competition Enters Matchday Three ‎

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Bayelsa United team

By David Owei,Bayelsa

‎The quest to return Bayelsa United to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL next season is gradually gaining momentum with twelve participating teams showcasing their talents in the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament.

‎The competition, targeted at discovering home-grown talents that would be integrated into the Bayelsa United team next season, has the 2026 Prosperity Cup finalists apart from champions, Okoroma United, whose players are currently undergoing trials in different teams outside the state.

‎Bayelsa Starlets Academy in the first match of matchday two showed class as they whitewashed AJ Inter Soccer Academy 4-1 with goals from Silas Benjamin, Udake Joel and a brace from Nathaniel Ojigbere.

‎Former champions, Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene were held to a barren draw by rugged and determined Brazil FC. Ereme Jackson humbled NDU Oilers FC by three goals to one while Bayelsa United Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Grassroots FC with two unreplied goals.

‎The tournament will enter match day three on Saturday, 25th July, 2026. Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Grassroots FC in the first match at 11.00am, Bayelsa Starlets will keep a date with Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry, MFM FC at 12.30pm

‎Prosperity Cup finalist, Akinima Biogbo will battle Ereme Jackson of Port-Harcourt at 2.00pm while Federal University of Otuoke, FUO Kings FC will lock horns with Brazil FC in the last match of matchday three at 3.30pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

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Bayelsa United Chairman calls for synergy between Feeder,Senior Teams as Season begins

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Players warming up for the football competition

By David Owei

‎Chairman of the Interim Board of Bayelsa United Football Club, Dr. Peter Singabele has stressed the need for collaboration between the Feeder team and senior teams of Bayelsa United

‎Dr. Singabele made the call while addressing coaches and players of the Feeder team shortly after their training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

‎He noted that for the club to succeed in it’s aspirations of returning the team to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL that coaches from both Feeders and the senior team must work hand in gloves to achieve its objectives.

‎According to him, the Feeder team is the foundation of every club in the world and not a dumping ground for players but a veritable platform for nurturing talented players that are capable of gaining promotion to the senior team.

‎Dr Singabele asserted that the board was deliberate about the growth of the Feeder team and that they are desirous of seeing more players from Feeder graduate into the main team, noting that the Feeder team serves as a “breeding ground”.

‎He hinted that preparations are underway for them to have a fruitful season, maintaining that the registration process for the Nigeria Youth League has been completed successfully.

‎”The feeder team is not a dumping ground. You must be up to the task of playing for this club. We must not compromise the growth of Bayelsa United. Because If properly managed, the feeder team will be the future of the senior team,” he said.

‎He explained that the board would thoroughly scrutinize players before they are considered for promotion, insisting that only those who meet the required standards would be considered into the first team, urging players to be professionals in the discharge of their duties.

‎The chairman assured the players and coaches that the board remains committed to improving their welfare, stating that the board is poised to provide a conducive environment for them to perform at their optimum.

‎Dr Singabele who described the NNL as a more difficult league, urged the players to be determined in their quest to bring the team back to the top flight at the end of the season, saying that one of the objectives of the pre-season tournament is to discover talents that would feature in the team.

‎Also speaking, Bayelsa United Assistant Coach, Ngozi Elechi, charged the players in the Feeder team to make use of the opportunity before them, stressing that outstanding players would be promoted to the senior team.

‎Bayelsa United Feeders are currently preparing for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament aimed at identifying and developing home grown talented players for possible integration into the senior team ahead of the upcoming football season.


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Bayelsa United Resumes Training, Targets NPFL Return

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Players in preparation for 2026/2027 Nigeria National League

‎By David Owei,Bayelsa

‎Bayelsa United have resumed preparations for the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League, NNL with their first training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa

‎The session, which marked the start of pre-season activities for the club was supervised by the club’s technical crew, led by assistant coach Ngozi Elechi alongside Anderson West.

The Bayelsa united players


‎The players underwent light fitness drills and tactical routines as the coaching crew assessed their conditioning ahead of a more intensive build-up programme.

‎More players are expected to join the team in the coming days as preparations for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Pre-season tournament in Yenagoa gathers momentum in line with the vision of the governor, Senator Douye Diri to return the team back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL at the end of the 2026/27 season.

‎Before training commenced, a member of the board, Godson Ekarde charged the players to approach the new season with discipline, dedication and a strong winning mentality, describing the campaign as “a season of serious business” for the club.

‎Mr. Ekarde, said the management is committed to providing the support the team needs to compete strongly in the NNL and secure promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

‎He urged both players and the technical crew to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering an improved performance and more consistent results throughout the season.

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