Ahead of the 2026 edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, officials of Spanish football giants, FC Barcelona have confirmed their willingness to participate in the tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup.
The confirmation is contained in a letter addressed to the Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe and signed by the Technical Director of Barca Academy, Mr Bernat Villa Gorriz, who doubles as the Project Director of Project Africa.
Powered by the Organizers of the Prosperity Cup,Red Sapphire Ltd and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development, in conjunction with Whiz-Kid Ventures, Netherlands-based accredited agents of FC Barcelona, the coaches training programme will feature two FC Barcelona coaches who will be taking the Bayelsa grassroots football coaches through a series of sessions on modern coaching skills and techniques, with particular focus on the methodology and philosophy of the Spanish club.
The Barca Academy Technical Director equally said the club will take advantage of their visit to explore other areas of possible collaboration with the State.
The letter states in part, “We are writing to confirm our participation in the Coaching Clinic scheduled for 23-25, February 2026, in Bayelsa State, which is part of the activities of the Bayelsa State Governor’s Tournament (Prosperity Cup) 2026.
“The Training will comprise practical and theoretical sessions to be conducted by two (2) FC Barcelona coaches. It will focus on sharing the methodology and philosophy that the club has developed over the years.
“We would also use the opportunity of the visit for the clinic to hold series of meetings and explore other potential collaborations with Bayelsa State.
“We look forward to our trip to Bayelsa State.”
Discussions during the visit will also focus on preparing the groundwork for the establishment of the world-class FC Barcelona Academy in Bayelsa State.
Other areas of potential collaboration include the training of local referees, football administrators, talent identification and placement of discovered talents in schools, academics and clubs to further their development.
This confirmation of participation by officials of FC Barcelona is an eloquent testimony of the stature and reputation of the Prosperity Cup as the biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria.
Prosperity Cup Season 8 will officially kick-off on Thursday, February 19, 2026 while the various centre matches will commence on Sunday, March 1, 2026 with the Brass centre leading the way. The third place match is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026 while the grand finale will come up on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Champions in the male category of this special “Bayelsa @ 30” edition of the competition will receive the sum of N30 million while runners-up will go home with the sum of N10 million and in the female category, the winners will smile to the bank with the sum of N10 million while the runners-up will be five million Naira richer.
