By David Owei

As Football Club Barcelona prepares to activate their International Advisory role with the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, two key technical staff who will be central to the partnership are Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincón.

Bernat Villa Gorriz is an experienced football coach, technical director, and football development specialist. He has over 15 years professional experience in elite player development, coaching education, and international football projects.

With a degree in Industrial Engineering and the UEFA-A Coaching License, combining strong analytical skills with high-level coaching expertise, Gorriz began his coaching career in Catalonia, working with well-known clubs such as youth-focused CF Damm, Atlètic Sant Just FC, and Sant Cugat FC.

From these experiences, he built a solid foundation in youth development and competitive football.

In 2013, he joined FC Barcelona as a coach at the Barça Academy, contributing to the development of young talents through the club’s renowned training methodology. In 2016, he was appointed Technical Director of the Barça Academy Lagos (Nigeria), leading the sporting structure, coach education programmes, and player development strategy.

Three years later, in 2019, Gorriz became the Technical Director of Barça Academy for the Americas region, overseeing multiple academies and implementing FC Barcelona’s training standards across the continent.

In 2023, he was assigned as Technical Director of Barça Academy for the regions of America, Europe & Africa, managing large-scale international projects, coach education systems, and strategic development plans.

In 2024, Gorriz was appointed Technical Director of Barça Academy for the regions of Europe & Africa, as well as Project Manager for Africa within the FC Barcelona Scouting Department, leading talent identification strategies and long-term development projects across the continent.

On his part, Alberto Lafuente Rincón is a senior football executive and technical leader with over 10 years of international experience in elite player development, coach education, and the strategic management of high-performance football projects.

Armed with a degree in Sports Science and the UEFA-B Coaching License, he combines a strong analytical background with executive-level expertise in football methodology, talent development systems, and organizational leadership.

Lafuente Rincón began his professional career in Spain, working within established club structures such as CD Numancia, where he developed a solid understanding of youth academies, competitive environments, and long-term performance models.

In 2018, he joined Barça Academy in Lagos, contributing to the implementation of FC Barcelona’s global methodology in Nigeria and supporting the development of elite youth talent within an international framework.

A year later in 2019, he was appointed Technical Director of Barça Academy Pune (India), assuming full responsibility of the academy’s sporting strategy.

His role included designing and leading the technical structure, overseeing coach education programmes, and aligning player development processes with FC Barcelona’s global standards.

From 2019 to 2025, Lafuente Rincón has been appointed as Technical Director across multiple international Barça Academy projects, including Dubai, the United States, and Japan, ensuring technical coherence, methodological consistency, and operational excellence across diverse football markets.

In parallel, he has acted as Global Camp Coordinator, leading Barça Academy camps worldwide (Taiwan, Australia, Argentina, Colombia), delivering standardized coach education frameworks and strategic development plans aimed at sustainable, long-term football growth.

For Bayelsa State and her talented young footballers and coaches, these high profile officials from FC Barcelona of Spain may just be the trigger of dreams realized.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa Queens FC suffered a 2-3 loss to Abia Angels in a friendly game on Saturday at the Samson Siasia Stadium.

Bayelsa Queens took the lead in just 2 minutes from a free kick and Wuraola made no mistake to slot it in.

It was a blow for the Prosperity Girls who dominated the first half, but capitulated in the dying minutes and the visitors levelled the score through Yemilo Blessing to end the first half 1-1.

The visitors scored a second goal in resumption of the second half through Dakachi Ekezie and  Chimezie Ekezie scored the third goal for Abia Angels before Bankole Sofiat pulled one back for Bayelsa Queens to end the friendly encounter 2-3.

Bayelsa Queens failed to build on the early goal they scored, producing a lackluster performance.

Abia Angels showed greater composure and silenced the home fans, handing them  a victory.

Technical Adviser of Bayelsa Queens Whyte Ogbonda said he was pleased with the performance of his girls.

“Yes, I’m satisfied with the standard of play, we created lots of chances, but sometimes in football you have your off-days”.

“This is just a friendly match, we will now go back and plug all the loop holes before the league resumes on the 18 of February, 2026”, Coach Whyte Ogbonda added.

By David Owei ,Bayelsa
Edo State is already reaping the benefits of hosting the 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games as the organisers have completed significant upgrades on the sporting facilities earmarked for the competition

Just as was done in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, prior to the start of the 1st edition, the organisers and the sponsor, Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) have kept the promise of improving facilities in host states.

Considerable 8 work is ongoing at the 50 meter long and 20 feet deep Olympic standard swimming pool at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadum and also at the tennis courts beside the main arena

“Your Excellency, let me offer you the assurance that as part of our NDDC Completes Facilities Upgrade in Benin for 2nd Niger Delta Games
for the Games will be upgraded to meet international standards,” Dr. Samuel Ogbuku had said to Governor Monday Okpebholo during the unveiling of the state as hosts of the Games on December 4.

The assurance was again restated by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Chairman of Dunamis-Icon Limited, organizers of the games during a recent inspection tour of the facilities.

“We have carried out the assessment of the facilities that will host the competitions, and in a few weeks, there will be a major transformation of those that have deteriorated.

“It is a legacy that the games bring to host states,” Ikpokpo told journalists at the end of the inspection.

Other renovated facilities include the twin volleyball and basketball courts at the Wire Road Sports Centre, which have been provided dressing rooms and conveniences.

Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta States are among the nine members of the regional bloc. Others are Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.

Over 3000 athletes and 500 coaches will be participating in the games for 16 sports. The games will be held from February 20-27.