By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Nationwide League One has confirmed that Bayelsa Starlets Academy will participate in the 2026 National League One (NLO) U-19 Youth League
‎
‎The confirmation, contained in a letter by the league body, and titled “Confirmation of Status of Bayelsa Starlets Football Academy (U-19 Youth League)”, was signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Olushola Ogunnowo.

According to the letter, the Bayelsa Starlets Academy, which is affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, Technical Advisers to the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, took over the slot of De-Gideon FC of Abuja.
‎
‎The letter further stated that the club, being an affiliate of the Bayelsa State Football Association, shall play all its home matches in Bayelsa State and operate in line with league statutes, except where the NLO Congress directs otherwise.

According to the letter dated Thursday, 21st of May, 2026, “The Nationwide League One Secretariat hereby confirms that the above-named Football Academy, affiliated to the Bayelsa State Football Association, will from the 2026 season, join the Nationwide League One, U-19 Youth League. The Academy took over the slot of De-Gideon FC of Abuja.

“The Nationwide League One Secretariat has received the details of the transaction between both parties and can confirm that De-Gideon has no known liabilities”.
‎
‎The letter advised the Academy to liaise with the Bayelsa State Football Association for further information regarding players’ registration and other documentation required for participation in the 2026 NLO season.
‎
‎Reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Bayelsa Startlets Academy and Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe, said the news reflects the government’s commitment towards giving the youths in the State a better life through sports, maintaining that the NLO U-19 Youth League would open another chapter for young players in the State.
‎
‎According to him, screening for the Bayelsa Starlets Academy commenced immediately after the season 8 of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, under the supervision of a FIFA renowed instructor and Technical Adviser, Coach Edema Fuludu, ably assisted by Ebezener Atayero and other experienced coaches, pointing out that all the players in the academy are products of the just-concluded edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged, the Prosperity Cup.
‎
‎He noted that he was pleased with the growing confidence of the players in the team, stating that the momentum in the team reflects the commitment and determination of the lads.
‎
‎Mr Akpe commended the governor, Senator Douye Diri, the deputy governor, Dr Peter Akpe the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for investing in the youths through sports, stressing that the governor’s passion for sports development was the reason behind the tournament’s success story.

He also saluted the lead sponsors of the tournament Premium Trust Bank for their commitment to sports development saying ” the commitment and support of Premium Trust Bank to sports development is unprecedented and must be commended across the country. We salute the Chief Executive and Managing Director Dr Emmanuel Emefienim and the entire bank for thier faith in the youths of Bayelsa, the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole”
‎
‎It will be recalled that the Bayelsa Starlets Academy, founded in 2019, and now upgraded and expanded, participated in the African Youth Championship in Cape Verde where they finished third among international clubs, and later went on to win the Bayelsa State League in 2020.

‎
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.
‎
‎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.
‎
‎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.
‎
‎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.
‎
‎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”.
‎
‎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.
‎
‎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.
‎
‎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.