The interim board of Bayelsa United FC has unveiled a one-week preseason football tournament aimed at identifying and recruiting promising grassroots players into the club ahead of the new Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, organised in partnership with the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, will feature 14 teams from within and outside the state.
In a statement jointly signed by Bayelsa United Chairman Peter Singabele and Prosperity Cup Director-General Ono Akpe, who also serves as a member of the club’s board, the organisers said the competition is designed to discover exceptional young talents capable of strengthening the team.
“The idea of the tournament is to spot outstanding talents that will be infused into Bayelsa United because we want to see our team return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) immediately.
“We believe that the surest way to get talents is at the grassroots through platforms like this,” the statement said.
According to the organisers, participating teams include Prosperity Cup quarter-finalists, several Yenagoa-based clubs and three invited teams from outside Bayelsa Ereme Jackson FC of Port Harcourt, Excellent FC of Ughelli and 36 Lions FC of Sapele, Delta State.
The Yenagoa-based teams are Prosperity Cup finalists Akinima/Biogbo, Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry (MLDM FC), Krosaders FC, Brazil FC, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM FC), Bayelsa United Feeders, Federal University Otuoke Kings (FUO Kings), Otuoke Grassroots FC, NDU Oilers, Orange Boys and Bayelsa Starlets Academy.
The statement said the tournament aligns with the vision of Governor Douye Diri to identify and develop home-grown football talents capable of representing Bayelsa United at the highest level.
“This is an initiative from the new board in line with the governor’s vision to discover home-grown talents for Bayelsa United that will feature in the NNL,” the statement added.
The preseason competition will run from Wednesday, July 22, to July 29, with matches kicking off daily at 10:00 a.m. at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
The organisers urged all participating teams to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and strictly observe the tournament rules, noting that the competition would also provide Bayelsa-born players with greater exposure beyond the state.
The tournament will be supervised by Bayelsa United’s newly appointed technical crew, led by Technical Adviser and Chief Coach Abdul Maikaba, alongside Assistant Coach Ngozi Elechi. Members of the Prosperity Cup technical team will also participate as the club begins preparations for the upcoming NNL season.
Describing the competition as a deliberate effort to rebuild the club through grassroots football development, the organisers expressed optimism that it would create new opportunities for talented young players.
“We are delighted to announce this preseason tournament that will see fourteen teams participating, including the Prosperity Cup finalists and other club sides in Bayelsa.
“The tournament will open a new chapter for home-grown talents in the state and create opportunities for players to achieve their dreams,” the statement said.
Source:NAN
