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Gov. Diri Pledges More Support for Sports —As Ethiopians Sweep Top Prizes

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Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe hands over trophy to winning team

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State says the current administration will continue to invest in sports development to give youths the opportunity to actualize their potential.

The Governor stated this at a ceremony at the Peace Park, opposite Government House, shortly after the first Yenagoa City International 10-kilometre race.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, he underscored the immense benefits of sports and fitness which according to him helps citizens to be healthy, aiding them to be free from illnesses and diseases.

While congratulating the organizers, the State Ministry of Sports and participants, he noted that the Yenagoa City International 10km Race, 2026 has projected Bayelsa to the world while providing good image for the State.

The Bayelsa Governor maintained that his administration would continue to accord priority to Sports as it mobilizes individuals in mass participation and provides career path for sports men and women for global reckoning.

He advised the athletes to be committed to continuous training to become great sportsmen and Olympians like the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali.

His words: “As a State, we will continue to support Sports especially in events like this that attracts thousands of participants. We have all seen the glamour and the joy from this marathon.

“This Yenagoa City International 10km Race is historic. This is the first of its kind in Bayelsa State. When I was in Sports, we used to have the Olympic Day Run. And annually, we looked up to it.

“This is the time where everybody is part of the sporting industry to mobilize people for massive participation.

“We cannot over emphasize the importance of sports for fitness, even as a career. Several of our people have benefitted from this. One example is our own Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali. That is part of the dividends of participating in sports.

“Today, we are gathered here and Bayelsa is being advertised positively to the world. We have participation of this magnitude brought to the State and Yenagoa City. So, we want to congratulate the organisers, those who mooted this idea, the Sports Ministry and the athletes. So, I appreciate you all.

“We believe this has come to stay in Bayelsa, and we will do better next time. To our athletes, I want you to continue training because training does not end on the day you want to compete.”

In the race proper, Ethiopia’s Habtamu Birhane Molla got the first prize of $5,000 in the Men’s category breasting the tape within 29 minutes 23 seconds.

Two Nigerians were second and third as 17 year old Gang James, a native of Plateau State, who just finished from Victory Academy High School, Jos, clocked 29 minutes 59 seconds to smile home with $3,000 with Francis James following with 30 minutes 16 secs to cart home $2,000. Nigerians also finished 4th and 5th.

In the women’s category, it was a clean sweep for Ethiopian athletes, namely, Shewaye Tolosa, Tigist Girma Arseta and Worke Gacasho Jilo, who carted the first, second and third prizes.

The first Nigerian was Daylop Patience who was 4th in 35.07.66 secs just as her country woman, Vivian Nenyitwe Obadiaha was 5th in 35.07.66 secs.

Dignitaries that graced the event included top officials from the Bayelsa State Government, including the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, State House of Assembly, Hon. Tare Porri, the Managing Director of the consulting outfit, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, a representative of the World Athletics and President of International Association of Ultra-runners, Nadeem Khan, Olympian and former Nigerian Long Jump record holder, Yusuf Alli, amongst others.

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More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney ‎ ‎… As Competition Enters Matchday Three ‎

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Bayelsa United team

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.

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Bayelsa United Chairman calls for synergy between Feeder,Senior Teams as Season begins

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Players warming up for the football competition

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.


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Bayelsa United Resumes Training, Targets NPFL Return

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Players in preparation for 2026/2027 Nigeria National League

‎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.

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