Elegbede Abiodun
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the agreement with one of Europe’s biggest football clubs would pave the way for more youths in the state to be productively engaged in the sport and steer them away from unwholesome practices.
Bayelsa State and Spainish football giant, Barcelona, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a football academy in the state.
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris signed on behalf of Barcelona during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup 2026 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.
Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, witnessed the ceremony.
In the male final, Okoroma United of Nembe Local Government Area secured a slim 1-0 victory over Akinima Biogbo of Ogboloma in Yenagoa Local Government Area to emerge champions of the eighth edition of the tournament.
Okoroma went home with the star prize of N40 million, while Akinima Biogbo received N13 million.
In the female category, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated defending champions, Afini Ladies of Amarata, also by a lone goal, to clinch the prize money of N10 million, while the runners-up got N7 million.
An excited Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the agreement with one of Europe’s biggest football clubs would pave the way for more youths in the state to be productively engaged in the sport and steer them away from unwholesome practices.
He said his administration would continue to prioritise investment in sports and assured residents of its commitment to deliver the 30,000-seater stadium project in 2027.
Diri stated that, as a youth development initiative, the Prosperity Cup had grown significantly, having been expanded from what his administration met in 2020 when it assumed office to become one of the biggest grassroots football tournaments in Nigeria.
Diri, who commended the players for exhibiting professionalism, acknowledged the improved standard of play, noting that the majority of them were from the state.
Describing football as a money-spinning sport capable of bringing youths into the limelight, the governor appreciated the organising committee led by Mr Ono Akpe, as well as the partners and sponsors of the competition for their interest in developing the game.
He listed them to include Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance Plc, Niger Delta Development Commission, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Arco Engineering, and Binad Table Water, among others, urging corporate organisations to emulate their example.
He said, “On assuming office, we saw the Governor’s Football Tournament as a tool for youth engagement, development and empowerment. So we wasted no time in investing in and expanding it.
“Last year, more than 100 teams participated, but in this year’s edition, there were 227 teams and we also introduced the female and para categories. Almost every club in the world now has a female team. We had 21 female teams in this edition and it is still developing.”
The governor, however, expressed disappointment over the poor performance of the state-owned Bayelsa United in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League and charged its management and the Sports Commissioner to ensure the team was not relegated.
Speaking shortly after signing the MoU, Mr Garris said the Barcelona delegation had seen a lot of talent in the state.
“It is a pleasure for us to be here in Bayelsa to see the big improvement that the state is making in sports and we would love to be part of this big event.
“We would like to come more often to support the development of players and coaches. For us, it is a real pleasure,” he said.
Also, Pinnick, who chaired the event, lauded the Diri administration for being intentional about sports development.
According to him, “The display by the players in this final is very encouraging and FC Barcelona would not need to look anywhere else for the likes of Lamine Yamal or Messi. There are too many Yamals in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta. I am happy that the NFF is also here.”
The special guest of honour and Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr Emmanuel Emefienim, who was represented by the Chief Business Officer, South-South, Dr Aniebet Offiong, said the financial institution was committed to supporting sports development in Bayelsa.
Emefienim commended the organisers, stating that the bank was already contributing significantly to sports development not only in Bayelsa but also across the country.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, donated N10 million to increase the initial N30 million prize for the winners of the male category, while a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ali Isa, added N5 million to the prize money for the champions of the female category and an additional N5 million to the organisers of the tournament.
