Blankson Urges Kids to Combine Sports with Academics
...As Donbai FA and FC Afini Battle for Top Prize
The Director of the City Boy Movement in Bayelsa State, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, has called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to balance sports with education.
Blankson gave the charge during the semi-finals of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy U-15 Scouting Tournament, organized 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 on display, particularly the expertly taken spot kicks by the young players. He also urged parents to preach the importance of both sports and academics to their children.
High Chief Blankson, who is also one of the major sponsors of the tournament, noted that if children are not positively engaged in sports and education now, they risk finding the wrong things to do with their time.
Meanwhile, Donbai United and FC Afini have qualified for the final of the Bayelsa Starlets Academy U-15 Scouting tournament.
After two weeks of grueling and scintillating football amongst 18 football academies in Yenagoa,
Donbai United beat Kings Warriors FA 7-6 on penalties after a one-all draw in regulation time, while FC Afini defeated Dominion City 5-4 on penalties having played out a two-all draw at normal time in the second semi final match.
The final of the tournament comes up by 1:00pm on Wednesday, 29th July, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The scouting programme is aimed at discovering talents within the age grade of 15 that would be integrated into the Bayelsa Starlets Academy which is affiliated to the FC Barcelona Academy
