Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has rewarded players, coaches and officials of the state-sponsored Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt with ₦50 million following their international football tour of the United Kingdom. According to Punch Newspapers and Channels Television, the governor announced the reward on 16 October 2026 when the delegation visited Government House in Port Harcourt to present a trophy earned during the trip. The tour took the young footballers to Southampton and provided them with opportunities to compete internationally, develop their skills and experience football beyond Nigeria.
The academy’s principal, Dr Prudence Isaac-Harry, said 61 student-athletes and 12 officials participated in the tour, which exposed the players to the football communities in Southampton and London. She disclosed that the team received a silver trophy in recognition of its performances and said the experience had generated interest from other clubs in further international engagements. In a report published on 16 October, ThisDay also quoted Fubara as commending the delegation for its discipline and conduct, describing the tour as an opportunity for the students to understand the opportunities available in the global football industry.
Beyond the cash reward, Fubara pledged to address infrastructure, accommodation and funding challenges facing the academy, which was established under his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The governor said his administration would sustain initiatives that support youth development, regardless of which government introduced them, while urging the students to balance their sporting ambitions with academic education. The commitment highlights the role of state-backed academies in developing grassroots football talent, although the programme’s long-term success will depend on sustained investment in training facilities, education and pathways into professional football.
