Governor’s Cup Final: NIS DG Shaibu, NFF President Gusau Lead Support for Grassroots Football

Posted : 15 June 2025

The Director General of the National Institute of Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, alongside Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, lent strong support to the 2025 Governor Diri Douye Governor’s Cup, attending the final match in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The high-stakes final between Eternal Grace Ministry FC (EGM FC) and Advance Dreams FA took place at the Samson Siasia Stadium, attracting a full house of passionate football fans.

Comrade Shaibu, who also served as the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State, was joined by top football stakeholders including former Super Eagles coach and Technical Director Samson Siasia, and ex-international Austin Eguavoen. Their presence elevated the tournament's prestige and sent a strong message about national support for grassroots football.

As the match unfolded, the crowd was fully engaged, cheering enthusiastically. Shaibu, known for his deep understanding of sports administration, closely observed the tactical display of both teams and commended the tournament's organization and competitive spirit.

Speaking after the final, Shaibu praised Governor Douye Diri for investing in youth football and called on other state leaders to follow suit:

"I’m happy to witness this exciting final. Bayelsa State has set the pace, and we hope other governors will emulate this model of grassroots development by catching talent young."

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal sports institutions and states in advancing coaching and player development across Nigeria:

"We’re ready to partner with all state governments and the FCT to produce more qualified and experienced coaches across all sports. We need to measure up globally in terms of coaching quality and athlete welfare."

The Governor’s Cup, which kicked off earlier in the year, has served as a crucial platform for discovering young football talent in Bayelsa and beyond, aligning with broader national goals to develop sports from the grassroots level.

Governor’s Cup Final: NIS DG Shaibu, NFF President Gusau Lead Support for Grassroots Football

The Director General of the National Institute of Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, alongside Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, lent strong support to the 2025 Governor Diri Douye Governor’s Cup, attending the final match in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

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