The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, have commenced a coaching clinic for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa State.
Now in its third edition, the training—organized in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Bayelsa State Football Association—is designed to equip local coaches with modern coaching techniques ahead of the seventh season of the Prosperity Cup.
Declaring the clinic open, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Barr. Poubeni Ogun, described the initiative as a game-changer for grassroots coaches in the state. He emphasized that moving forward, no coach would be allowed to manage a team without a CAF B-License coaching certificate.
He also revealed that efforts were underway to ensure grassroots coaches obtain the NFF D-License certification, as the National Institute of Sports (NIS) certificate would no longer be a requirement for managing teams.
Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, in his welcome address, described the exercise as a preparatory workshop for the upcoming NFF D-License coaching certification. He noted that fifty coaches had been selected for the program, which aims to enhance their technical capabilities while also elevating the quality of football in Bayelsa.
NFF Technical Director and resource person for the clinic, Augustine Eguavoen, expressed confidence in the program’s impact, stating that his dream is to see grassroots coaches from Bayelsa manage top-tier players in the future. He commended the state government and tournament organizers for their commitment to football development.
Local coaches Awala Kpunpamo of Bayelsa FA and Anthony Robert of Afini FC expressed their appreciation to Governor Douye Diri and the tournament organizers for investing in the capacity-building of grassroots coaches. They believe the program will modernize coaching techniques and improve the overall standard of football in the state.
The clinic, which is being held at the NUJ Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki, Yenagoa, will run until Friday, with a total of fifty coaches participating.
