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By David Owei

Former Nigeria international, Edema Fuludu has hailed the foresight of the Bayelsa State Government in establishing the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy.
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‎Fuludu made this known during the Under-15 and Under-19 screening exercise to assemble players for the establishment of the Academy, whose Memorandum of Understanding, MoU was signed last week during the final of the season eight of the Prosperity Cup.
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‎He noted that the only way for grassroots players to excel was to create a platform for them to get better, maintaining that the establishment of the academy would be a breeding ground for the state-owned team, Bayelsa United and other cadet national teams in the country.

‎Fuludu, who described grassroots as the foundation of football in any society, said the Bayelsa Starlets Academy would reduce restiveness among youths in the State because the youths would be positively engaged with the academy.
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‎He expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the quality of players that showed up on day two of the exercise, pointing out that his team of coaches have identified an avalanche of talents during the exercise.
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‎According to him, “over a hundred players took part in day two of the screening compared to day one that had seventy players comprising both U-15 and U-19 players”.
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‎He explained that 39 players have been selected among the 100 players that came for the exercise, adding that one of the criteria for trimming down the number of players was age, because some of the players were above the age limit for the programme.
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‎He further explained that the exercise is still open, that more players would join the exercise tomorrow, maintaining that at the end of the programme, 40 players would be selected, pointing out that those picked on day two could still be dropped if they fall short of the standard.
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‎The exercise enters day three on Friday, 15th May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium with proceedings commencing at 10.00a.m.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa State, Daniel Igali, departed Nigeria on May 9, 2026 and arrived in Samokov, Bulgaria on May 10, 2026 to serve as Technical Delegate at the 2026 European U17 Wrestling Championships.

The assignment, which runs from May 11 to 17, 2026, was officially communicated by United World Wrestling through its Secretary General, Carlos Roy, in recognition of Igali’s continued contributions to international wrestling administration and governance.

Aside from being a Bureau Member of United World Wrestling, Igali is also a key member of the UWW Technical Commission, widely regarded as one of the most pivotal organs of the international federation due to its central role in the technical organization, regulation and conduct of wrestling competitions across the world.

As Technical Delegate, Igali will oversee the technical organization and conduct of the championships involving some of Europe’s most promising young wrestlers across freestyle, Greco Roman, and women’s wrestling events.

The assignment further reinforces Bayelsa State’s growing international visibility and reputation in sports development, as well as Nigeria’s continued relevance within the global wrestling community.

Igali, a World Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee and Olympic gold medallist, is expected back in Bayelsa on May 19, 2026 following the completion of the assignment.

‎By David Owei, Bayelsa

‎Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC of Odi and Bayelsa Stars of Ovom have claimed the third position in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
‎
‎Bayelsa Stars in the women’s third place match decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa beat Ezougha Queens by three goals to two to run home with the ₦2,000,000 prize money for the second runners-up.
‎
‎Fourth placed Ezougha Queens received the sum of ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 for consolation prizes while the ultimate winner of the women’s category of the tournament will smile to the bank with ₦10,000,000.
‎
‎MLDM FC in the men’s third place tie beat Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining three all draw in regulation time. MLDM showed doggedness, determination and strength of character as they rallied back from a 1-3 disadvantage to eventually emerge victorious. Anthony Moses put Krosaders FC ahead on 39 minutes from a long range shot. Ebiye Jeremiah doubled the scoreline on 46 minutes but the Church Boys responded on 50 minutes from Justin Ekubo to give MLDM FC a lifeline after a poor start.
‎
‎Ebiye Jeremiah completed his brace on 67 minutes but MLDM FC reduced the deficit on 74 minutes from another goal by Ekubo Justine. The Coach Collins-tutored side levelled the scoreline on 86 minutes from Moku Peremene’s header to stretch the encounter into penalty shootout.
‎
‎With the victory, MLDM FC are now ₦5,000,000 richer while 4th placed Krosaders FC got ₦2,000,000 and one million naira for other consolation prizes.
‎
‎An elated Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe in an interview, commended the organizers of the tournament for the yearly innovations, maintaining that grassroots remains the bedrock for footballers, and indeed all sports men and women to excel.
‎
‎He noted that beyond the prize money and trophy, the competition has improved women’s football in the State, adding that he is confident that some of the girls participating in the tournament would graduate into the Bayelsa Queens squad in the nearest future.
‎
‎MLDM FC coach, Collins Robert said he was overwhelmed with the victory, that finishing third from among 228 teams is a testament of determination and commitment from the coaches and fans.
‎
‎The grand finale of the spectacle and the official signing of the MoU of the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy will come up on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
‎…As Prosperity Cup 2026 Climaxes On Friday
‎

‎Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC of Odi and Bayelsa Stars of Ovom have claimed the third position in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
‎
‎Bayelsa Stars in the women’s third place match decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa beat Ezougha Queens by three goals to two to run home with the ₦2,000,000 prize money for the second runners-up.
‎
‎Fourth placed Ezougha Queens received the sum of ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 for consolation prizes while the ultimate winner of the women’s category of the tournament will smile to the bank with ₦10,000,000.
‎
‎MLDM FC in the men’s third place tie beat Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining three all draw in regulation time. MLDM showed doggedness, determination and strength of character as they rallied back from a 1-3 disadvantage to eventually emerge victorious. Anthony Moses put Krosaders FC ahead on 39 minutes from a long range shot. Ebiye Jeremiah doubled the scoreline on 46 minutes but the Church Boys responded on 50 minutes from Justin Ekubo to give MLDM FC a lifeline after a poor start.
‎
‎Ebiye Jeremiah completed his brace on 67 minutes but MLDM FC reduced the deficit on 74 minutes from another goal by Ekubo Justine. The Coach Collins-tutored side levelled the scoreline on 86 minutes from Moku Peremene’s header to stretch the encounter into penalty shootout.
‎
‎With the victory, MLDM FC are now ₦5,000,000 richer while 4th placed Krosaders FC got ₦2,000,000 and one million naira for other consolation prizes.
‎
‎An elated Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe in an interview, commended the organizers of the tournament for the yearly innovations, maintaining that grassroots remains the bedrock for footballers, and indeed all sports men and women to excel.
‎
‎He noted that beyond the prize money and trophy, the competition has improved women’s football in the State, adding that he is confident that some of the girls participating in the tournament would graduate into the Bayelsa Queens squad in the nearest future.
‎
‎MLDM FC coach, Collins Robert said he was overwhelmed with the victory, that finishing third from among 228 teams is a testament of determination and commitment from the coaches and fans.
‎
‎The grand finale of the spectacle and the official signing of the MoU of the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy will come up on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

‎Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC of Odi and Bayelsa Stars of Ovom have claimed the third position in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
‎
‎Bayelsa Stars in the women’s third place match decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa beat Ezougha Queens by three goals to two to run home with the ₦2,000,000 prize money for the second runners-up.
‎
‎Fourth placed Ezougha Queens received the sum of ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 for consolation prizes while the ultimate winner of the women’s category of the tournament will smile to the bank with ₦10,000,000.
‎
‎MLDM FC in the men’s third place tie beat Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining three all draw in regulation time. MLDM showed doggedness, determination and strength of character as they rallied back from a 1-3 disadvantage to eventually emerge victorious. Anthony Moses put Krosaders FC ahead on 39 minutes from a long range shot. Ebiye Jeremiah doubled the scoreline on 46 minutes but the Church Boys responded on 50 minutes from Justin Ekubo to give MLDM FC a lifeline after a poor start.
‎
‎Ebiye Jeremiah completed his brace on 67 minutes but MLDM FC reduced the deficit on 74 minutes from another goal by Ekubo Justine. The Coach Collins-tutored side levelled the scoreline on 86 minutes from Moku Peremene’s header to stretch the encounter into penalty shootout.
‎
‎With the victory, MLDM FC are now ₦5,000,000 richer while 4th placed Krosaders FC got ₦2,000,000 and one million naira for other consolation prizes.
‎
‎An elated Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe in an interview, commended the organizers of the tournament for the yearly innovations, maintaining that grassroots remains the bedrock for footballers, and indeed all sports men and women to excel.
‎
‎He noted that beyond the prize money and trophy, the competition has improved women’s football in the State, adding that he is confident that some of the girls participating in the tournament would graduate into the Bayelsa Queens squad in the nearest future.
‎
‎MLDM FC coach, Collins Robert said he was overwhelmed with the victory, that finishing third from among 228 teams is a testament of determination and commitment from the coaches and fans.
‎
‎The grand finale of the spectacle and the official signing of the MoU of the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy will come up on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
‎Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC of Odi and Bayelsa Stars of Ovom have claimed the third position in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup.
‎
‎Bayelsa Stars in the women’s third place match decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa beat Ezougha Queens by three goals to two to run home with the ₦2,000,000 prize money for the second runners-up.
‎
‎Fourth placed Ezougha Queens received the sum of ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 for consolation prizes while the ultimate winner of the women’s category of the tournament will smile to the bank with ₦10,000,000.
‎
‎MLDM FC in the men’s third place tie beat Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining three all draw in regulation time. MLDM showed doggedness, determination and strength of character as they rallied back from a 1-3 disadvantage to eventually emerge victorious. Anthony Moses put Krosaders FC ahead on 39 minutes from a long range shot. Ebiye Jeremiah doubled the scoreline on 46 minutes but the Church Boys responded on 50 minutes from Justin Ekubo to give MLDM FC a lifeline after a poor start.
‎
‎Ebiye Jeremiah completed his brace on 67 minutes but MLDM FC reduced the deficit on 74 minutes from another goal by Ekubo Justine. The Coach Collins-tutored side levelled the scoreline on 86 minutes from Moku Peremene’s header to stretch the encounter into penalty shootout.
‎
‎With the victory, MLDM FC are now ₦5,000,000 richer while 4th placed Krosaders FC got ₦2,000,000 and one million naira for other consolation prizes.
‎
‎An elated Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe in an interview, commended the organizers of the tournament for the yearly innovations, maintaining that grassroots remains the bedrock for footballers, and indeed all sports men and women to excel.
‎
‎He noted that beyond the prize money and trophy, the competition has improved women’s football in the State, adding that he is confident that some of the girls participating in the tournament would graduate into the Bayelsa Queens squad in the nearest future.
‎
‎MLDM FC coach, Collins Robert said he was overwhelmed with the victory, that finishing third from among 228 teams is a testament of determination and commitment from the coaches and fans.
‎
‎The grand finale of the spectacle and the official signing of the MoU of the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy will come up on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.