Sports
NFF-D Licence Coaching Course Gets Underway In Yenagoa.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
ln order to enhance the capacity and professionalism in football officiating ,a five-day NFF-D Licence coaching course for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa State has begun in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital with over forty coaches taking part in the novel exercise.
NFF-D Licence coaching course will run from the 11th through the 15th of March, 2026 at the Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Onopa, from 9.00am daily.
The exercise which is being organized by the Prosperity Cup in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Football Association is coming two weeks after the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic in the State.
The NFF-D Licence exercise is coordinated by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, alongside Edema Fuludu, Peggy Ubenye Ulu, Monday Odigie, among others.
The chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Barr Porbeni Ogun, who was represented by Mr Zuzu Ebimotimi, Head of Secretariat, Prosperity Cup, who doubles as the Chairman of All Stars International, Yenagoa, in his remarks noted that the programme is a reflection of the dream and aspirations of the FA and the Prosperity Cup to see Bayelsa coaches excel at the global stage.
He urged the various participants to pay rapt attention to details, that the exercise was the beginning of success for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa, maintaining that securing the NFF-D Licence certificate would place them well ahead of their contemporaries who are yet to obtain the certificate.
Also speaking , the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, who was represented by the Head of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, Prosperity Cup, Rev. Vincent Dowell, remarked that the programme was apt and auspicious due to the continued growth of grassroots football in Bayelsa state.
Mr Akpe asserted that the organisers of the Prosperity Cup will not relent in their quest to see that grassroots coaches in the state are equipped with modern coaching techniques, urging all the participants to take full advantage of this rare opportunity.
The NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, explained that the D-License course, which is in modules, is a prerequisite for qualifying coaches to take part in the CAF-C License course, adding that it is for beginners, and must last a minimum of 60 hours.
According to him, the coaching course was designed to enhance the capacity of coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges, maintaining that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the nation.
Our correspondent in an interview with two of the participants said they were grateful to the organizers for giving them the opportunity,which they would not take for granted.
Mr Anthony Fouye of Afini FC and Mr Mere Freeborn of Hope Alive FC, shared their thoughts of the coaching programme, in separate interviews.
According to Anthony Fouye, who is the Chairman of Bayelsa Grassroots Football Coaches Association, he is excited to be part of the programme, pointing out that the course represents an opportunity in their coaching career to learn and re-learn and improved on their officiating.
He posited, “This course represents a valuable opportunity because it is a key requirement for every serious coach who aspires to grow professionally and strengthen their coaching Curriculum Vitae and career. The programme would help us to raise the bar and the standard of coaching and improve the over-all quality of football development in the State”. they stated.
On his part, Mr Mere Freeborn of Hope Alive FC, said “We strongly believe that after this coaching course, there will be a significant increase in the level of knowledge, technical understanding, and impactful among coaches within the state”.
Sports
Gov Diri Expresses Confidence On Bayelsa United Interim Board. …Say Bayelsa Is Ready to Host 2028 National Sports Festival
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri says he is confident that the newly-constituted interim board of Bayelsa United will deliver on its assignment.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, last week Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk, announced an interim board comprising experienced sports administrators and headed by Dr. Peter Singabele, to oversee the affairs of the club for the next six months.
Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
He noted that with the calibre of personalities on the board, he was confident that the board would deliver on the assignment, pointing out that the board is filled with experienced personalities with proven track records.
According to the state helmsman, he was impressed with the board’s vigour to immediately embark on the appointment of a new technical adviser for the team, urging them not to rest on their oars until they achieved their objectives.
He asserted that the government would not interfere with the selection of players that the selection of players would be decided by the coaches and not by the board so that the coaches can be held culpable when they fall short of the set target.
”I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Bayelsa United Interim Board that we have put together headed by Dr Peter Singabele, I am aware that they have hit the ground running with the process of appointing a new coach for the team. I want to charge them to run with speed to ensure that new coaches are recruited with players sorted out” Gov Diri stated.
”Players must be sorted out by the coaches, no interference by the board, no interference by the government, no one should interfere with the coaches, let the coaches bring out the best of players so that if anything goes wrong we will hold them responsible”, he maintained.
The governor hinted that his administration remains committed to hosting the National Sports Festival in Bayelsa in 2028, maintaining that his administration is poised to complete the ongoing construction work of the 30,000-seater stadium in Igbogene, 5,000-seater stadium in Sampou in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area and other facilities in the State.
He assured Bayelsans that the stadium would be completed at the stipulated time to host the National Sports Festival, stressing that sports remain one of his administration’s goal to positively engage the youths.
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
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