The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali says the coaching clinic and referees' refresher course has given the Governor's Football Tournament more credibility.
Dr. Igali made the assertion during the practical session of the on-going coaching clinic at the Old Assembly Quarters playing field, Azikoro in Yenagoa.
The sports commissioner said he is excited with the various transformational programmes of the organisers of the Prosperity Cup, such as the coaching clinic and the referees' refresher courses, stating that the initiative has given the biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria more credibility in the last five years.
The commissioner urged the coaches to make good use of the opportunity, pointing out that the state governor is desirous of seeing Bayelsans manage the national team and even foreign clubs.
Dr. Igali commended the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and lead instructor of the coaching clinic, Augustine Eguavoen and his team for positively impacting on the career of grassroots coaches in Bayelsa State.
The sports commissioner, who noted that with programmes like this, Bayelsa coaches will go far in their career, said "I am excited with the various transformational programmes of the Prosperity Cup, particularly the coaching clinic and the referees' refresher courses. It has given the tournament more credibility.
"I urge you to make good use of the opportunity. The Miracle Governor wishes to see Bayelsans manage the national team and even foreign clubs.
"I wish to commend the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Augustine Eguavoen and his team for the impact this coaching programme would have on the career of grassroots coaches here in Bayelsa State".
In a related development, the Technical Director of the NFF, Augustine Eguavoen says the on-going Prosperity Cup coaching clinic will provide another opportunity for grassroots football coaches in Bayelsa to become great tacticians in the future.
Eguavoen gave the assurance on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the on-going Prosperity Cup coaching clinic at the NUJ Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki, Yenagoa.
Describing the grassroots as the bedrock of any nations football, Eguavoen said getting the rudiments of coaching at the grassroots level is the only vehicle to prepare grassroots coaches for adventurous assignments.
According to him, with the collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Bayelsa State Football Association, he was optimistic that the exercise would make grassroots coaches in the state to be great gaffers in future, maintaining that the coaches have been impacted positively.
The NFF Technical Director said he was elated to be part of the coaching clinic exercise, adding that the NFF is desirous of seeing good football at the grassroots level.
With the exercise coming to a climax on Friday, the former international believes that the coaches would replicate what they have learnt from the programme when the tournament proper commences at the various centers across the eight local government areas.
The Prosperity Cup coaching clinic, which is in its third year, continues today with more sessions from the various resource persons..
