FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic Kick-off in Yenagoa
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…… As Bayelsa SSG Charges Football Managers to See Sports as Business
The FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic got underway in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, with a charge to football managers to explore the money-spinning component of the sport.
Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, who gave the charge while speaking at the opening ceremony of the coaching clinic, noted that football, and indeed sports generally, was huge business, adding that football managers in the state should begin to pay attention to details and explore the money-spinning potentials of football.
Professor Ayawei urged the grassroots coaches to be diligent and patient to learn from the FC Barcelona officials, maintaining that the exercise would impact positively on the coaches when the competition commences.
Regional Head, Premium Trust Bank, Yenagoa, Dr. Danjuma Omeje noted that the bank will continue to accord priority to the development of sports in the State, pointing out that they have been in collaboration with organisers of the Prosperity Cup in the last three years.
Noting that Premium Bank donated a new coaster bus to Bayelsa Queens last year, Dr Omeje said they would continue to collaborate with organisers of the Prosperity Cup for the over-all development of football in the State.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, opined that the essence of the programme was to improve the skills of the grassroots coaches in the State.
Mr Akpe, who noted that the continued training of grassroots coaches was already impacting on the growth of football in the state, used the opportunity to appreciate the governor, Senator Douye Diri for his huge investment in sports development in the state. He equally commended the sponsors of the tournament for their steadfastness.
Also speaking, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz, the Team Lead of the FC Barcelona delegation, asserted that he was pleased with the organization of the programme particularly the enthusiasm of the coaches, stressing that his dream was to see these coaches rise to the peak of their career.
Also speaking, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo of Whiz-kid ventures from Netherlands, who facilitated the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup partnership, noted that the objective of the programme was to develop grassroots coaches with the FC Barcelona methodology and style of play.
Two participants, Anthony Fouye, Chairman of Bayelsa Football Coaches Association and Dift Seinitonkumo Edike of FC California of Odi, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the programme for the laudable initiative, noting that the exercise is already reflecting on the performance of grassroots football coaches.
Day one of the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic was rounded-off with a scouting programme in which Citiboi Feeders tackled Bayelsa United Feeders while the second match of the day was between Bayelsa Starlets and FC Silina at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
The scouting programme continues Tuesday, February 24, 2026, immediately after the coaching clinic, with Excellent FC hosting Krusaders F.C. at the Samson Siasia Stadium at 3.00p.m. while in the second match Kingdom Stars will entertain Light FC at 4.00p.m. at the same venue.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
