The Director of the City Boy Movement in Bayelsa State, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, has urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to combine sports with education.
Blankson gave the advice on the sidelines of the semi-finals of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy U-15 Scouting Tournament in Yenagoa.
The tournament is organised by the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development and the Grassroots Football Coaches Association.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of football displayed by the youngsters, particularly their composure during penalty shootouts, and said parents must continue to emphasise the importance of education alongside sports.
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Blankson, who is a major sponsor of the competition, said children who are not positively engaged through sports and education risk being lured into social vices.
Meanwhile, Donbai United and FC Afini have qualified for the final of the competition.
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After two weeks of action involving 18 academies in Yenagoa, Donbai United defeated Kings Warriors FA 7-6 on penalties after 1-1 draw at regulation time, while FC Afini beat Dominion City 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The final will hold on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, by 1pm.
The scouting programme is aimed at discovering talents in the U-15 category for integration into the Bayelsa Starlets Academy, which is affiliated to the FC Barcelona Academy.
