Kali Gwegwe

Who is Kali Gwegwe?

Kali Gwegwe is the former Chairman of Bayelsa United F.C., a Nigerian Premier League outfit based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Prior to his appointment, he was the Chairman of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria's Bayelsa State chapter. He is reputed to have groomed the bulk of all the new generation footballers that come out of Bayelsa State—the home state of Finidi George and Samson Siasia.

Gwegwe was sacked in controversial circumstances in November 2006. His plans to professionalize Bayelsa United and eliminate corruption were openly resisted by some influential people on and outside the board of the club. He is, however, still the Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of YSFON. As a non-governmental organization, the government has very little or no control over its activities.

Gwegwe came to the limelight when, between 1999 and 2006, he groomed local boys and won a number of competitions in Nigeria and Europe. He is also reputed to have been the first Nigerian to bring a youth team from Europe to participate in a local football competition in Nigeria. During his short tenure as Chairman of Bayelsa United, players experienced an improved welfare package, with an increase of more than 100% in their salaries, allowances, and bonuses. According to Gwegwe, this was to reflect their professional status. Under him, the club was the first to remain at the top of league table from the beginning to the end of the first stanza.