Sports
Gov.Diri to Perform Prosperity Cup Season 8 Kick-off … As FC Barcelona Technical Crew give Thumbs Up to Prosperity Cup Organizers
By David Owei,Bayelsa
All is now set for the kick-off of Season eight of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi ahead of the kick-off of the showpiece.
According to Avi, the historic kick-off will see two Bayelsa selected sides, tutored by FC Barcelona Technical Directors in a Spanish-Bayelsa combo, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk on Thursday, 26th February 2026 at 7.30am at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The statement states that the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, is expected to lead members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the FC Barcelona team and other stakeholders to take the ceremonial kick-off.
It explained that Governor Douye Diri would be the Special Guest of Honour, Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali will serve as Chief Host while the officials FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon would be Special Guests.
The statement further hinted that the four-day FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic, with FC Barcelona, the tournament’s International Technical Advisers, is currently ongoing at the Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Yenagoa.
The statement urges stakeholders, sports enthusiasts, coaches and participating teams to be part of the epoch-making event, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has become a global brand.
The Tournament Director appreciated the Bayelsa State Government, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Binad Table Waters, King George’s Court and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense contribution to the development of sports in the State.
Meanwhile, the FC Barcelona Team Lead, Bernat Villa Gorriz has commended the organisers of the tournament, for putting together the coaching clinic.
According to him, “I am very impressed with the attention to details by the organizers. For me, it is nice to be here to share our thoughts with the coaches. We all know the dream of the players in the competition is to improve their skills, play professional football, travel to Europe, and one day, maybe play for Barcelona. We will see what we can do to assist them achieve their dreams.”
All is now set for the kick-off of Season eight of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi ahead of the kick-off of the showpiece.
According to Avi, the historic kick-off will see two Bayelsa selected sides, tutored by FC Barcelona Technical Directors in a Spanish-Bayelsa combo, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk on Thursday, 26th February 2026 at 7.30am at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The statement states that the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, is expected to lead members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the FC Barcelona team and other stakeholders to take the ceremonial kick-off.
It explained that Governor Douye Diri would be the Special Guest of Honour, Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali will serve as Chief Host while the officials FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon would be Special Guests.
The statement further hinted that the four-day FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic, with FC Barcelona, the tournament’s International Technical Advisers, is currently ongoing at the Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Yenagoa.
The statement urges stakeholders, sports enthusiasts, coaches and participating teams to be part of the epoch-making event, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has become a global brand.
The Tournament Director appreciated the Bayelsa State Government, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Binad Table Waters, King George’s Court and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense contribution to the development of sports in the State.
Meanwhile, the FC Barcelona Team Lead, Bernat Villa Gorriz has commended the organisers of the tournament, for putting together the coaching clinic.
According to him, “I am very impressed with the attention to details by the organizers. For me, it is nice to be here to share our thoughts with the coaches. We all know the dream of the players in the competition is to improve their skills, play professional football, travel to Europe, and one day, maybe play for Barcelona. We will see what we can do to assist them achieve their dreams.”
Sports
More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney … As Competition Enters Matchday Three
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.
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.
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.
OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process
By David Owei,Bayelsa The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving...
OBYC Worldwide fault Ineife led IYC over planned protest against Bayelsà Industrialist. ….urges IYC to respect for Court Process The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving Azikel Group President, Dr. Azibapu Godbless Eruani, CFR, and Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing the action as unnecessary while the matter remains before a competent court. OBYC, in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, urged Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairman, Comrade Peres Ineife, to suspend the proposed protest and allow the judicial process to run its course. It also appealed to the newly elected IYC Worldwide President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the parties involved in the Aviation Training initiative. OBYC maintained that Dr. Eruani’s aviation training initiative was a philanthropic programme designed to empower Bayelsa youths and rejected allegations that he intended to victimise anyone. The Council further called on Ijaw youths, political leaders and stakeholders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and avoid actions capable of undermining the judiciary or disrupting peace.
By David Owei,Bayelsa The Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council (OBYC) Worldwide has condemned the planned protest over the legal dispute involving...
More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney … As Competition Enters Matchday Three
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