Bayelsa State has become the first in Nigeria to award NFF-D coaching licences to its grassroots coaches.
Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen made the declaration at the closing ceremony of a five-day NFF-D Licence Coaching Course held in Yenagoa.
The course was organised by the Prosperity Cup in partnership with the Bayelsa State Football Association.
“Bayelsa is leading the way by giving grassroots coaches this opportunity,” Eguavoen said. “The future of Nigerian football lies in the hands of these coaches, and they must now apply everything they have learnt in their clubs.”
He commended the Bayelsa State Government for its sustained support of the Prosperity Cup and its regular capacity-building programmes, describing the initiative as a clear demonstration of commitment to grassroots football development.
Prosperity Cup Director-General Ono Akpe said the coaching courses were already producing visible improvements among the state’s coaches.
“This investment is a seed that will produce quality fruits,” Akpe noted. “The future of football in Bayelsa belongs to the grassroots, and we are proud of this partnership with the state FA.”
Bayelsa FA Chairman Barrister Porbeni Ogun, who also participated in the course, urged the coaches to see the training as a stepping stone in their careers.
“The programme has been very impactful,” Ogun said. “Our next target is to organise a CAF-C licence course before the end of the year to further broaden the coaches’ knowledge.”
Former Bayelsa United coach Monday Odigie and ex-international Edema Fuludu both described the exercise as a “lifetime investment” and called on participants to make full use of the skills acquired.
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Participants Akren Beauty of Ezuogha Soccer Academy and Andrew Owutuamor of Rich Destiny FC echoed the praise, saying the course had transformed their approach to coaching.
The programme was designed to introduce modern coaching techniques and provide the necessary qualifications for career advancement at the grassroots level.
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