…As Okoroma United Clinches N40m Prosperity Cup
Bayelsa State Government and European football powerhouse FC Barcelona have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a football academy in the state, marking a major step in youth and sports development.
The agreement was signed on Friday during the grand finale of the 2026 Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the State Government, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris represented FC Barcelona.
The ceremony was witnessed by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
Speaking at the event, Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, said the partnership with FC Barcelona would create pathways for young talents in the state to be productively engaged through football and steered away from unwholesome practices.
“On assuming office, we saw the Governor’s Football Tournament as a tool for youth engagement, development and empowerment.
“We have expanded it from where we met in 2020. Last year, more than 100 teams participated. This year, we had 227 teams, including 21 female teams and the introduction of the para category,” Governor Diri said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, including the delivery of a 30,000-seater stadium by 2027.
The governor also charged the management of state-owned Bayelsa United to improve performance in the Nigeria Professional Football League and avoid relegation.
Mr Garris of FC Barcelona commended the state’s investment in sports, noting: “It is a pleasure for us to be here in Bayelsa to see the big improvement that the state is making in sports. We would like to come more often, supporting the development of players and coaches.”
Mr Pinnick described the Prosperity Cup final as “very encouraging,” adding, “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.”
Prosperity Cup 2026 Results: In the male final, Okoroma United of Nembe Local Government Area defeated Akinima Biogbo of Yenagoa LGA 1-0 to emerge champions of the 8th edition. Okoroma United received the star prize of N40 million, while runners-up Akinima Biogbo got N13 million.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, donated N10 million to augment the initial N30 million prize for the male category.
In the female category, Active Ladies of Agudama edged defending champions Afini Ladies of Amarata 1-0 to win N10 million, with the runners-up receiving N7 million. Hon. Ali Isa, member of the House of Representatives, donated an additional N5 million to the female champions and N5 million to tournament organisers.
The tournament’s partners and sponsors include Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance PLC, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Arco Engineering, and Binad Table Water, among others.
Dr Aniebet Offiong, Chief Business Officer, South South, representing Premium Trust Bank MD Dr Emmanuel Emefienim, said the bank remains committed to supporting sports development in Bayelsa and across Nigeria.
