The Kwara State All Stars Football Family has announced plans for the maiden edition of the Governor AA Veteran Unity Cup, a football tournament designed to promote unity, friendship, healthy living, and camaraderie among veteran footballers across the state.
The competition, which is scheduled to run from July 4 to August 29, 2026, will be held every Saturday between 7:30 am. and 10:00 am, at the Kwara Football Academy Pitch, George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Four veteran football teams will compete for honours in the tournament. They include Afase All Stars, Ramsaky All Stars, MD All Stars, and Full Moon All Stars, all renowned groups within the state’s vibrant football community.
The opening ceremony holds July 4, 2026, with the kick-off to be performed by the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Magaji, while closing ceremony will be done by His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulradsq, on Saturday August 29, 2026. Two matches will be played every Saturday.
The championship is being sponsored by the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whose administration has continued to demonstrate commitment to sports development, youth empowerment, and community engagement across the state.
Organisers of the competition expressed profound appreciation to Governor AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support for sporting initiatives, describing his sponsorship of the tournament as another demonstration of his passion for grassroots sports development and social cohesion.
They noted that the Governor’s investments in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare have continued to position Kwara as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states.
The Veterans also reserved special commendation for the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Magaji, who is serving as the Chief Host of the tournament.
They praised his consistent support for football development and veteran sports programmes, noting that his leadership has brought renewed energy and direction to sports administration in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Kwara State All Stars Football Family, the host and President of the association, Alhaji Idrees Hameed (SMO), described the Governor AA Veteran Unity Cup as a platform to strengthen relationships among former footballers, foster unity within the football family, and inspire younger generations through the values of discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
He added that beyond the competition, the tournament will serve as a reunion of football stakeholders and veterans who have contributed immensely to the growth of the game in Kwara State over the years.
As anticipation builds ahead of the opening match on July 4, football enthusiasts and stakeholders have been encouraged to support the initiative, which promises exciting action while celebrating the enduring spirit of friendship and unity that football continues to inspire across Kwara State.
