*Programme targets 48 young players, with 20 progressing to Unicorn FC
*Foundation to provide boreholes to participating communities
The Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation and Kwara State Football Association (Kwara FA) have launched a grassroots talent hunt across all 16 Local Government Areas of the State, with Adekunle TV joining the initiative to help spotlight emerging young footballers and bring greater visibility to talent within local communities.
The initiative will identify promising young players and create a pathway for selected talents to progress to Unicorn FC for structured football and educational development.
Alongside the talent hunt, the Foundation will fund a borehole in each of the 16 participating Local Government Areas, providing a lasting source of clean water for the communities these young players come from.
Football equipment, including training bibs and match jerseys, will also support the players participating in the programme.
The Secretary of the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation, Sulaiman Atunrase, disclosed this development in a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin.
Atunrase said the programme was conceived to discover talented young footballers in communities across the state, particularly those who lack access to structured football development and professional opportunities.
Under the arrangement, the Kwara FA has coordinated the identification of three promising players from each Local Government Area, producing a pool of 48 players for the next stage of the programme.
The selected players have been invited to Ilorin for a comprehensive screening exercise scheduled for Nov. 7th to Nov. 10th at first ITC and then the George Agbazika Inih Stadium, Ilorin.
Following the screening, 20 outstanding players will be selected and referred to Unicorn FC, where they will receive structured football training alongside educational support and further development opportunities.
The partnership with Ibrahim Nurudeen Dare of Adekunle TV is expected to give the talent-hunt programme wider visibility, particularly at the grassroots level.
Dare, a renowned football content creator and Yoruba football analyst known for his football comedy and content creation will be involved in promoting and amplifying the initiative.
The collaboration with Adekunle TV will help amplify the talent hunt and increase visibility for young footballers across the state, while fostering community engagement and excitement around grassroots football.
Atunrase said the approach reflects the Awoniyi Foundation’s wider ambition to create opportunities through football while ensuring its programmes also leave a meaningful impact within the communities where young talent is discovered.
With 48 talents set to emerge from the 16 Local Government Areas and 20 ultimately progressing to Unicorn FC, the programme represents one of the Foundation’s major grassroots interventions aimed at turning local football potential into tangible opportunities.
