David Owei,Bayrlsa
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‎The Director of the City Boy Movement in Bayelsa State, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, has called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to balance sports with education.
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‎Blankson gave the charge during the semi-finals of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy U-15 Scouting Tournament, organized by the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development and the Grassroots Football Coaches Association.
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‎He expressed satisfaction with the quality of football on display, particularly the expertly taken spot kicks by the young players. He also urged parents to preach the importance of both sports and academics to their children.
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‎High Chief Blankson, who is also one of the major sponsors of the tournament, noted that if children are not positively engaged in sports and education now, they risk finding the wrong things to do with their time.
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‎Meanwhile, Donbai United and FC Afini have qualified for the final of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy U-15 Scouting tournament.
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‎After two weeks of grueling and scintillating football amongst 18 football academies in Yenagoa,
‎Donbai United beat Kings Warriors FA 7-6 on penalties after a one-all draw in regulation time, while FC Afini defeated Dominion City 5-4 on penalties having played out a two-all draw at normal time in the second semi final match.
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‎The final of the tournament comes up by 1:00pm on Wednesday, 29th July, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
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‎The scouting programme is aimed at discovering talents within the age grade of 15 that would be integrated into the Bayelsa Starlets Academy which is affiliated to the FC Barcelona Academy

‎By David Owei
‎The Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Pre-season Tournament has continued to showcase top grassroots football talent in the state, as the Interim Board of Bayelsa United intensifies its rebuilding process to return the club to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
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‎The tournament is designed to discover homegrown players who will be drafted into Bayelsa United.
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‎Participants include the 2026 Prosperity Cup quarter-finalists, a few Yenagoa-based teams, and Ereme Jackson FC of Port Harcourt.
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‎After days of eye-catching matches among the 12 participating teams, the semi-finalists have emerged. They are Bayelsa Starlets, Bayelsa United Feeders, Krosaders FC, and Ereme Jackson FC.
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‎In the semi-final fixtures slated for Monday, Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene will face Ereme Jackson FC of Port Harcourt in the first game at 1:00pm, while Bayelsa Starlets will take on Bayelsa United Feeders in the second semi-final at 3:00pm.
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‎Both matches will take place at the Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa.
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‎Speaking on the progress so far, the Chairman of the Interim Management Board of Bayelsa United Football Club, Dr. Peter F. Singabele*, said: 
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‎”This tournament is the foundation of our rebuilding agenda. We are committed to scouting and nurturing Bayelsa talents who can compete at the highest level and restore Bayelsa United to its rightful place in the NPFL. The quality we have seen here gives us confidence that the future is bright.”

By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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.
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‎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
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‎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.