FC Barcelona Launches Coaching Clinic In Bayelsa

The FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic has officially commenced in Yenagoa, with a call for football managers to tap into the revenue-generating potential of the sport.

Nimibofa Ayawei, Secretary to the Bayelsa Government, made this appeal during the clinic’s opening on Tuesday. He urged local football administrators to pay closer attention to detail and to explore the business opportunities inherent in football and sports in general.

Ayawei also encouraged grassroots coaches to approach their learning from FC Barcelona officials with diligence and patience, noting that the programme would positively impact them when the competition begins.

Danjuma Omeje, the Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank in Yenagoa, highlighted the bank’s commitment to sports development in the state. He revealed that the bank has collaborated with the tournament’s organisers for the past three years and donated a new coaster bus to Bayelsa Queens last year. Omeje assured that the bank would continue its partnership with the organisers of the Prosperity Cup to promote football development in Bayelsa.

The tournament’s Director-General, Ono Akpe, stated that the programme aims to enhance the skills of grassroots coaches in the region. He pointed out that continuous training for these coaches is already contributing to the growth of football in the state and commended the state governor for his investment in sports development. Akpe also expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their ongoing support of the tournament.

Bernat Villa-Gorriz, Team Lead of the FC Barcelona delegation, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the programme, particularly noting the enthusiasm demonstrated by the coaches. He voiced his aspiration for the participants to reach the pinnacle of their coaching careers.

Sylvester Okonkwo of Whiz-Kid Ventures in the Netherlands, who facilitated the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup partnership, explained that the clinic’s objective is to develop grassroots coaches using FC Barcelona’s methodology and style of play.

Participants Anthony Fouye, Chairman of the Bayelsa Football Coaches Association, and Seinitonkumo Edike of FC California, Odi, commended the organisers for the initiative, noting that the programme is already yielding positive results in the performance of grassroots coaches.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this clinic is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen football development at the grassroots level in Bayelsa.