Bayelsa United Launch Pre-Season Tournament to Unearth Grassroots Talents

Bayelsa United have announced a one-week pre-season football tournament designed to identify and recruit promising grassroots players ahead of the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

The competition, organised by the club’s interim management board 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 joint statement signed by Bayelsa United Chairman Peter Singabele and Prosperity Cup Director-General Ono Akpe, who also serves on the club’s board, the organisers said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the team with home-grown talents as they target an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

“The aim of the tournament is to identify exceptional players who can be integrated into Bayelsa United,” the statement read. “We believe the grassroots remain the best source of quality talent, and this platform will help us discover players capable of contributing to the club’s success.”

The tournament will feature Prosperity Cup quarter-finalists, several Yenagoa-based clubs and three invited teams from neighbouring states—Ereme Jackson FC of Port Harcourt, Excellent FC of Ughelli and 36 Lions FC of Sapele.

Participating Yenagoa clubs include Prosperity Cup finalists Akinima/Biogbo, MLDM FC, Krosaders FC, Brazil FC, MFM FC, Bayelsa United Feeders, FUO Kings, Otuoke Grassroots FC, NDU Oilers, Orange Boys and Bayelsa Starlets Academy.

According to the organisers, the competition aligns with Governor Douye Diri’s vision of developing indigenous football talents organisers urged participating teams to uphold discipline and fair play, noting that the competition would 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 be capable of representing Bayelsa United at the highest level.

The tournament is scheduled to run from July 22 to July 29 at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, with matches kicking off daily at 10 a.m.

The organisers urged participating teams to uphold discipline and fair play, noting that the competition would provide Bayelsa-born players with greater exposure and opportunities to advance their careers.

The event 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 be involved as the club intensifies preparations for the new NNL campaign.

Describing the tournament as a key step in rebuilding the club, the organisers expressed optimism that the initiative would open new opportunities for talented young footballers across Bayelsa State while laying a solid foundation for the club’s future success.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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