Barcelona FC partners with Bayelsa to launch soccer training school

A landmark partnership has been forged between Bayelsa State and Spanish football powerhouse Barcelona, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a football academy in the state.

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The agreement was formalized by Commissioner for Sports Dr Daniel Igali, representing the state government, and Mr Bernat Villa Garris, signing on behalf of Barcelona, during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup 2026, held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.

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Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, were in attendance to witness the ceremony.

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In the male final, Okoroma United of Nembe Local Government Area emerged victorious, securing a narrow 1-0 win over Akinima Biogbo of Ogboloma in Yenagoa Local Government Area to claim the championship title of the eighth edition of the tournament.

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The triumphant Okoroma United team took home the top prize of N40 million, while runners-up Akinima Biogbo received N13 million.

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In the female category, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated defending champions Afini Ladies of Amarata by a single goal, winning the prize money of N10 million, while the runners-up received N7 million.

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with one of Europe’s biggest football clubs, stating that it would create opportunities for more youths in the state to engage in the sport and deter them from unwholesome activities.

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Diri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing investment in sports and assured residents that the 30,000-seater stadium project would be completed by 2027.

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The governor noted that the Prosperity Cup, a youth development initiative, had experienced significant growth since his administration took office in 2020, expanding to become one of the largest grassroots football tournaments in Nigeria.

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Diri commended the players for displaying professionalism and acknowledged the improved standard of play, observing that the majority of participants were from the state.

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Describing football as a lucrative sport with the potential to bring youths into the spotlight, the governor expressed appreciation for the organizing committee, led by Mr Ono Akpe, as well as the partners and sponsors of the competition, including Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance Plc, and the Niger Delta Development Commission, among others.

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Diri urged corporate organizations to emulate the example set by these partners and sponsors, highlighting the importance of investing in sports development.

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The governor reflected on his administration’s efforts to develop the Governor’s Football Tournament, stating that it had grown from a smaller event to a major tournament with 227 participating teams, including the introduction of female and para categories.

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However, Diri expressed disappointment over the poor performance of the state-owned Bayelsa United in the current season’s Nigeria Premier Football League, charging the team’s management and the Sports Commissioner to prevent relegation.

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Following the signing of the MoU, Mr Garris expressed his delegation’s pleasure at witnessing the significant progress made by the state in sports development and expressed their desire to support the growth of players and coaches in the state.

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Former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who chaired the event, praised the Diri administration for its intentional approach to sports development, noting that the talent displayed by the players in the final was encouraging and comparable to that of renowned footballers like Lamine Yamal and Messi.

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Special guest of honor and Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr Emmanuel Emefienim, represented by Dr Aniebet Offiong, reaffirmed the financial institution’s commitment to supporting sports development in Bayelsa and commended the organizers for their efforts.

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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, donated an additional N10 million to the initial N30 million prize for the male category winners, while House of Representatives member Hon. Ali Isa contributed N5 million to the female category prize money and an additional N5 million to the tournament organizers.