*Each player to get N5m, and a plot of land

*Pledges special packages for U19, U14 teams, officials

The Executive Governor of Kwara state, His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has dedicated the historic 2025 President Federation Cup victory by Kwara United to the memory of Yusuf Salami, the founder of Ayuf Salam Rocks FC.

The defunct Alyuf Salam Rocks reached the final of the premier cup competition in 1976, but failed to win it as they lost to Rangers International by 2-0.

The President Federation Cup competition, the biggest football competition in the nation was introduced as far back as 1045, as Governor’s Cup, and Kwara state hasn’t won it before, until on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on the turf of the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, when they defeated Abakaliki FC on penalties, to broke the 80 years old jinx.

Governor AbdulRasaq, at the reception organized to honour the heroes of the historic Federation Cup victory at the State Banquet Hall, Ilorin, said that late Alhaji Yusuf Salami is worthy to be remembered as he spent his entire wealth to finance Ayuf Salam Rocks FC without government support, and nearly won the trophy then.

The Governor hailed the players for their exploits in winning the Federation Cup, which has eluded the state for the past 80 years, adding that the Federation Cup is the biggest in Nigeria, even bigger than the League Cup.

Equally, stakeholders in sports, and especially football fraternity, including the Sports Commission, the Kwara Football Association and the Club management were lauded by the Governor for a job well done.

The Governor averred that all necessary mercenaries will be put in place to ensure that the team excel in the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, adding that the team’s previous experiences on the continent will guide them for better preparation and performance this time around.

Highlighting the state’s efforts in facility building and renovation, Governor AbdulRazaq pointed out that Kwara will be the home of sports as the government has spent heavily on sports infrastructure in the state.

“Very soon, the Indoor Sports Hall will be opened again, as a lot of money has been spent in bringing it back. We now have the biggest squash courts in Africa and as it can be seen, Kwara dominates squash in Nigeria and other states come to Kwara to poach athletes. We are also planning to build more facilities in Kwara South and Kwara North, to harness more athletes.

The victory of Kwara United Football Club at the recently concluded 2025 Federation Cup is the latest addition to the long list of firsts recorded under the government of Governor AbdulRazaq. The win has been widely celebrated by sons and daughters of the state because it is both historic and symbolic.

He commended the Chairman of the Kwara Football Association, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, for his leadership role, and urged him to sustain the momentum. He also thanked the Chairman of the club, Kumbi Titiloye, for the victories.

Governor Abdulrasaq announced a reward of N5 million and a plot of land for each player of Kwara United for emerging the champion of the President Federation Cup. He also announced a donation of N1 million to Iya Guguru, the beloved supporter of Kwara United, for her commitment and support to the team. Additionally, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki also encouraged her with the sum of N500, 000.

The Governor however deferred the packages for the U19 team and the U14 team to the Sports Commission as well as that of the officials of the three teams.

The victory was even more historic with the presence of the Governor at the stadium to witness the win. He also witnessed the victory of the U19 Youth team the second day, Sunday June 29, 2025 to be exact, as they defeated their opponents from Ogun state 3-2 to win the inaugural N-Youth League Cup.

As evident by his morale-boosting attendance in the stand, it is instructive to note that the recent win was not by happenstance, it is a reward for deliberate investments, intentional strategies, and quality attention paid to the sports sector by the sports-loving Governor AbdulRazaq.

In his remarks at the reception, the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji disclosed that the Governor has promised rewards and awards for medalists at the last festival.

He assured that athletes who left the state to represent other states will be back with us before the next festival.

He hailed the Governor for his unwavering support, which, according to him, is very much instrumental to the successes recorded.

Highlighting some of the state’s achievements in recent times, he said the state went to the festival and performed beyond expectations, the U14 team went to Kaduna and won the Chief of NAVAL Staff Cup, while the U19 conquered the nation in the N-Youth League in Lagos.

Kwara United Football Club made a triumphant return home as the Harmony Boys and the U19 team were received by football lovers, Supporters and Fans Club as well as other major players in Kwara football at Eiyenkorin, from where they rode through Geri Alimi, Taiwo Road, Unity Road, Challenge, and to the State Banquet Hall, where they were received.

Fans, stakeholders, and football lovers began gathering at Eiyenkorin as early as 11:00am, to welcome the victorious team, who departed Lagos at 6:30am. The players arrived in Ilorin at 12:10pm, to a rousing reception, with supporters lining the streets as the team paraded the trophy through to the Banquet Hall. The grand reception was sponsored by Ambassador Abdulfatah Yahaya Seriki in honor of the team’s monumental achievement.

The Chairman of the Football Association, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, also known as Thuraya said that the successes recorded by football teams in the state was as a result of the FA’s commitment to grassroots football development, and the adherence to strict football protocols. He commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his support.

“I am thrilled to announce that our commitment and dedication have yielded positive results, and this is just the beginning. I dedicate the victories to Governor AbdulRazaq and the good people of Kwara State.

“Our long-term planning has paid off, and we commend the state government for their unwavering support. Winning two prestigious trophies within two days, including Nigeria’s biggest football trophy and the inaugural Under-19 Youth League, is a dream come true.

“I extend gratitude to Kwara United Chairman Kumbi Titiloye for his collaboration and like-minded support. I thank Kwara State people, home and abroad, who supported the team in Lagos, and commend Kwara United players for their tireless efforts.

To our supporters, fans and the media, your contributions have been immense and laudable. As we celebrate, we’re preparing for continental challenges without delay, working towards making Kwara State Africa’s football hub.

“On behalf of my board members, Local Football Councils, staff, and executives, I thank the people of Kwara State for the privilege to serve, and I promise more dedication and commitment to the progress of state football development.

The club’s Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye described the win as a product of consistent support from the state government, thanking the Governor for believing in the team.

The club extended profound gratitude to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, for his unwavering royal and spiritual support that contributed to the club’s historic triumph in the 2025 President Federation Cup.

In an official statement, the Club Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, described the Emir’s support as ‘massive and unprecedented’, noting that the victory was not only a product of hard work but also of the prayers, motivation, and encouragement received from the highly revered monarch.

The Oro-born football administrator also extended appreciation to various stakeholders in the football and sports community, including donors, sponsors, and passionate supporters, whose loyalty and belief in the club played a vital role in the team’s road to glory.

“Their love and commitment to the club have been instrumental in achieving this major milestone,” he added.

The event was graced by dignitaries including Ambassador Abdulfatah Yahaya Seriki, Prince Oladimeji Ladi (former club Chairman), Barrister Bamidele Aluko (former club Chairman), Coach Tunde Kazeem (Former Director of Sports), Hammed Adio (Oly), Chairmen of Local Government Football Councils across the state and others.