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.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

‎Ahead of the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that will pave the way for the setting up of the FC Barcelona-affiliated Bayelsa Starlets Academy, officials of the Spanish football giants have expressed satisfaction with facilities on ground.

The FC Barcelona officials made the assertion while speaking shortly after a facilities tour to the Bayelsa Medical University, BMU Hostels, the Sampou campus of the institution, Belary Montessori International School, along Tombia/Imiringi Road and the ongoing 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene in Yenagoa, the State capital.

The tour, which was led by the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Pere Efeke, was to ascertain the suitability and level of construction work done on the facilities, expected to facilitate the take-off of the Bayelsa Starlet Academy.
‎
‎While speaking shortly after the tour, FC Barcelona Technical Adviser, Mr Alberto Lafuente, said
he was pleased with what he saw on ground during the visit.

Mr Lafuente, who noted that the state government was being intentional in its plan to set up the Bayelsa Starlets Academy, said the academy, when fully operational, would rewrite the story of grassroots footballers in the state in the nearest future.
‎
‎Also, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Pere Efeke remarked that the ministry was committed to the development of sports, stating that the academy would take the youths off the streets.
‎
‎He stated that the ongoing construction work at the stadium would be completed at the stipulated time, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has become the pride of grassroots football in the country.
‎
‎Earlier, Vice Chancellor, Bayelsa Medical University, BMU, Prof. Dimie Ogoina represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ligha Aloysius Ebi, noted that beyond the award of certificates, the institution accords priority to sports development.
‎
‎Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe earlier in an address, said Sampou would be the permanent site for the academy, that the target would be for players to combine education and their football career.
‎
‎Meanwhile, in the on-going Prosperity Cup, the third place matches for both men and women will come up on Thursday, 7th of May, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium where the Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will battle Krosaders FC at 3.00pm
‎
‎Ezeougha Oueens will face Bayelsa Stars in the women’s category at 1.00pm, with the grand finale in both the men and women’s categories, slated for Friday, 8th of May, 2026.