It was a colourful ceremony as sports stakeholders and eminent personalities from across Kwara State converged on Flow FM Radio in Ilorin to witness the historic signing, with all participating clubs and Local Football Council chairmen in attendance.
The landmark sponsorship package covers complimentary jerseys for all competing teams, medal presentations, and other merit awards, alongside substantial prize money: ₦500,000 for the winners and ₦300,000 for runners-up in the men’s category, while the women’s category will see ₦200,000 for the champions and ₦100,000 for runners-up.Four clubs have registered for the men’s category — Kwara United FC, ABS FC Ilorin, Gaa-Akanbi FC, and Kwaita FC — while Moje Queens FC and Model Queens FC will contest the women’s category.
Kwara FA Chairman, Mallam Musa Idris Abdullahi (Turaya), expressed profound gratitude to all attendees, commending the sponsor, Engineer Femi Sani Araba, for his confidence in the FA’s leadership and for championing grassroots football through what he described as “the first sponsorship of its kind in the history of Kwara football.”
He pledged renewed commitment to transforming the developmental narrative of the game in the state.
The sponsor, Engineer Femi Sani Araba, said he was overwhelmed by the massive turnout, describing it as “a thing of joy” to support youth development through football. Reflecting on his personal connection to the game, Araba cited the “Miracle of Dammam” at the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, when Nigeria staged a historic comeback from 4-0 down to defeat the USSR, filling his childhood home with “indescribable joy.”
He contrasted this with the “sombre mood” in his family when Aliusalam Rocks FC lost an FA Cup final in Lagos, underscoring football’s profound emotional impact.
“These experiences gave me a deep appreciation of football,” Araba stated. “Beyond providing job opportunities for our youth, it brings joy and happiness to everyone who has a passion for the game.” Araba lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for “laying a good example for everyone to emulate” through his goodwill towards sports development, adding that with the “templates already on ground,” Stefolga Flow FM would collaborate with all sports stakeholders to drive growth across the state. He further thanked Mallam Idris Abdullahi Turaya for the opportunity to sponsor the FA Cup, reaffirming his commitment to the long-term development of football in Kwara.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included former Kwara United Chairman Prince Oladimeji Thompson, broadcasting legend Hameed Adio, former Director of Sports Tunde Kazeem, FIFA-badged referee Elder Obafemi, and Chairman of Kwara United Queens, Alhaji AbdulRasak Owolabi (Wopa), among others.
Adexinsight
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