Bayelsa Government Signs Football Academy Agreement With Barcelona

The Bayelsa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Spanish football club FC Barcelona to establish a football academy in the state as part of efforts to boost youth and sports development.

The agreement was signed on Friday during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup 2026, held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr. Bernat Villa Garris signed for Barcelona. The ceremony was witnessed by former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi.

Speaking at the event, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said the partnership with one of Europe’s biggest football clubs would create more opportunities for youths in the state and help steer them away from crime and other social vices.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development and disclosed that work was ongoing to deliver the proposed 30,000-seat stadium project by 2027.

Diri noted that the Prosperity Cup had grown significantly since his administration assumed office in 2020, adding that this year’s edition featured 227 teams, including female and para-sports categories.

In the men’s final, Okoroma United from Nembe Local Government Area defeated Akinima Biogbo of Yenagoa Local Government Area 1-0 to emerge champions of the tournament’s eighth edition. The victory earned Okoroma United the grand prize of N40 million, while the runners-up received N13 million.

In the female category, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated defending champions Afini Ladies of Amarata by a lone goal to claim the N10 million prize, while the runners-up went home with N7 million.

Governor Diri praised the players for their professionalism and improved performances, noting that many of the talents discovered through the competition were indigenes of the state.

He also commended the tournament’s organising committee led by Mr. Ono Akpe, alongside sponsors and partners including Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance PLC, the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and Arco Engineering.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Barcelona representative Bernat Villa Garris said the club had identified enormous football talent in Bayelsa and expressed willingness to support the development of players and coaches in the state.

Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick also lauded the Bayelsa government for prioritising sports development, stating that the state possessed talents capable of reaching global football standards.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, donated N10 million to increase the male winners’ prize money, while a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ali Isa, contributed N5 million to the female champions and another N5 million to the tournament organisers.