Officials of FC Barcelona of Spain have commended the Bayelsa Government for steps taken towards implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Bayelsa Starlets Academy.
The officials gave the commendation on Friday during a three-day visit to Bayelsa to assess the Onopa facility behind Government House, Yenagoa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit coincided with activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa.
The officials particularly commended the government for providing facilities to ensure the comfort and welfare of players of the Starlets Academy.
They said the welfare of players was important to their performance and development on the field.
Bernat Gorriz, FC Barcelona Technical Director for Europe and Africa, expressed satisfaction with the temporary camp during the visit.
Gorriz said he was impressed by the facilities and hostels, describing them as evidence of the government’s commitment to the MoU signed in May.
According to him, the environment was conducive and spacious enough for an academy.
He said the accommodation would also foster a strong bond among the players while enabling them to combine football development with education.
Gorriz also commended the Starlets management for the quality of football displayed in two matches he watched.
He said the team had improved tremendously compared with his previous visit.
The technical director commended the Director-General of the Prosperity Cup and his team for their determination to help the players realise their potential.
He said the academy had provided the young players with a means of livelihood.
Also speaking, Sylvester Okonkwo of Whiz-Kid Ventures, Netherlands, who brokered the partnership between FC Barcelona and the Bayelsa Government, said the temporary structure demonstrated the government’s readiness to establish the academy.
Okonkwo said the project was being implemented in line with the MoU signed between FC Barcelona and the Bayelsa Government.
Ono Akpe, Director-General of the Prosperity Cup, commended Gov. Douye Diri, his deputy, Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, for supporting the academy.
Akpe said the officials had provided facilities and funds for the team since the academy commenced operations.
He said that immediately after the signing of the MoU, the Starlets management assembled a team from the eighth season of the Prosperity Cup.
According to him, the selection was conducted by a group of coaches led by former international footballer, Edema Fuludu.
Akpe said the painstaking selection process was gradually yielding results, with the team emerging champions of the NLO Youth League held in Yenagoa.
He said the players had remained in camp since winning the competition as they continued preparations for the N-Youth League.
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