The Dictionary defines a legacy as the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions or reactions, especially that which is being achieved overtime.

And that best describes the reigns of Kumbi Titiloye as Chairman of the state’s darling team, Kwara United Football Club, after six seasons in charge, despite challenges, and against identified and unidentified odds.

In the next few days, the year 2024 will roll by, and the new year, 2025 will roll in. For Kwara United, it’s another great year in history, of records, and of achievements, irrespective of how it’s being viewed. The team will end this year with a mouth watering match against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday December 29, 2024, in Ibadan, and whichever way it goes, the team is absolutely on the path of achieving more successes this season.

For the first time in the history of Kwara United Football Club, it’s enjoying its longest reigns at the apex league, a vista that has arguably opened it to more sponsorship, mechandising and partnership opportunities that will be geared towards its adoption as a socio-political and economic tool by the government.

Kwara United Football Club has a noticeable reach, which can be leveraged on in boosting both tourism, developmental culture, especially through the linkage of the club with Kwara Football Academy, as well as direct and indirect football growth path on all fronts. These are some of the advantages which the current status of the club presents.

From Kwara Water Corporation Football Club, the team has gone through various metamorphosis; Kwara Utility Bombers of Ilorin and later, Kwara Bombers Football Club, and now, Kwara United Football Club.

In 1997, that was after 30 years of the creation of the state, and about 17 years of the Nigeria Football league, the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Exide Batteries Limited on January 17, 1997, to acquire the then Exide Sparkers Football Club, which was renamed Kwara United. That elevation collided with the 30th anniversary of the state.

Kwara, no doubt, is one of the early sports-conscious states, with strong biase for football. The state was one of the 12 pioneer states created on May 27, 1967, by the government of General Yakubu Gowon.

The support for Kwara United by government and Kwarans is obviously deeply rooted. The love for the club has therefore, continued to breed positivities as well as negativities, depending largely on variables difficult to define, over time.

These variables have at one time or the other, contributed in leading the team on relegation on several ocassions, and the development had also led to consistent change in leadership, especially before now.

Between 2019 and now, the much needed stability is being achieved in leadership, professionalism, required management imput and growth, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Six years down the line, the team has remained in the elite league, against all odds and threatening challenges, under the Chairmanship of Kumbi Titiloye.

But for Kumbi Titiloye, “it’s a collective achievement by all Kwarans, beginning with the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. We have come a long way, through thick and thin, ups and downs, but we have remained resolute on taking care of the challenges as they crop up. Special thanks to the Governor, for giving us the support always, to continue to flourish and flower.

“I must also commend the State Sports Commission, under Mallam Bola Magaji, the football fraternity in the state, especially the State FA, the Referees Council, Supporters and Fans Club, the sports journalists and other stakeholders, for standing behind the team.

“The potentials are there for Kwara United to improve and win laurels, but we must shun sentiments, continue to work together, and believing the fact that the club belongs to the state, and not any individual. Its about all of us, not about an individual.

“Looking back at the grounds we have covered, and with the continuous support of our Governor, we can turn our achievements into opportunities on all fronts, especially designing strategies to explore the possibilities in the ever-growing world footballing markets.

“The club has uqnited Kwarans more than ever before, and this can be evidenced in the turm-out during our matches, as our fans and supporters have broadened both the revenue base, followership stance, and constituting the twelfth element when we play. Our players draw strength from that imposing atmosphere to enhance performance and results. That has kept us going.

“Again, that we encourage professionalism on all fronts, including but not limited to welfare, medicals, payment of salaries as at when due, and others, all thanks to Mallam AbdulRazaq, have all assentuated our new found status, hoping that that will propel us to end this season on a high.

“Governor AbdulRazaq in his budget presentation few weeks ago, said that the Offa and Lafiagi stadiums, among other projects, will be funded from the N540.37billion budget for the year 2025.

“The stadia in Offa and Lafiagi are prioritised in the budget, and this is a.good news to us, as the infrastructure will open a new vista for Kwara United Football Club in its multi-faceted business plans, in both short and long runs. This is a well thought of initiative by our Governor.

Under Kumbi Titiloye, the club.has broken many jinx. First was sustaining it’s stay in the elite league, qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, and breaking a 15 years jinx in doing so, and also breaking numerous grounds in terms of results and awareness. The club has risen from a lesser followed to a hugely followed club on all social media platforms.

He was appointed in 2019 as Chairman for a four year tenure, which was graciously renewed by the Governor after its expiration, guaranteeing another four years of impactful and resourceful leadership that saw him appointed as NPFL Board member.

“We can do better, and we should begin to think of doing better. With the support of all, we can break more and more jinx. It’s breakable. So that one day, we can boast of been part of history, a positive history.

The Oro-born marketer and astute Administrator charged Kwarans to continue to support the team, pointing out that with their support, the team can win the league, as it has not done so before. He equally highlighted on the teams bid to win the Presidents Federation Cup competition, in appreciation of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s support to the team.

“We have done well this year, by our reckoning, and we pray year 2025 will be much better”, he added.