The Bayelsa State Government has entered into a partnership with FC Barcelona to establish a football academy aimed at grooming young talents and strengthening grassroots football development in the Niger Delta.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday during the final of the 2026 Prosperity Cup held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex.
Bayelsa Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, signed the agreement on behalf of the state government, while Bernat Villa Garris represented the Spanish club.
The ceremony was witnessed by former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary-General, Mohammed Sanusi.
Governor Douye Diri described the partnership as a strategic investment in youth empowerment and sports development, saying the football academy would help channel the energy of young people into productive ventures.
According to him, the initiative is expected to provide talented youths with opportunities to pursue professional football careers while discouraging involvement in social vices.
Diri said his administration remained committed to sports development and reiterated plans to complete the proposed 30,000-capacity stadium project by 2027.
He noted that the Prosperity Cup had expanded significantly since his administration came into office in 2020, adding that the competition had become one of the country’s leading grassroots football tournaments.
The governor disclosed that this year’s edition featured 227 teams, compared to just over 100 teams in the previous edition, with the introduction of female and para-sports categories further broadening participation.
“On assuming office, we saw the Governor’s Football Tournament as a tool for youth engagement, development and empowerment, and we immediately invested in expanding it,” he stated.
Diri also praised the standard of football displayed during the competition and commended the organising committee headed by Ono Akpe, alongside sponsors such as Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance Plc, the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Arco Engineering.
The governor, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Bayelsa United in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season and urged the management of the club and the Sports Ministry to ensure the team avoids relegation.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Garris said the Barcelona delegation was impressed by the level of football talent discovered in Bayelsa.
“It is a pleasure for us to be here in Bayelsa and witness the progress the state is making in sports development. We are happy to support the growth of players and coaches,” he said.
Pinnick also applauded the Bayelsa government for its commitment to sports development, insisting that the state possessed enough talent to produce players capable of excelling on the global stage.
“There are many young talents in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta with the potential to become the next Lamine Yamal or Messi,” he said.
In the men’s final, Okoroma United defeated Akinima Biogbo 1-0 to emerge champions and claim the N40 million top prize, while the runners-up received N13 million.
In the women’s category, Active Ladies beat defending champions Afini Ladies 1-0 to win the N10 million prize, while the runners-up earned N7 million.
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