Malam Idris Musa Abdullahi on June 13th, 2019, became the first democratically elected Kwara Football Association Chairman, taking over from the former board led by Mallam Busari Ishola.
Mallam Musa, poparly known as Thuraya, won with 10 of the 22 available votes but prior to the elections supervised by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials led by Mallam Ibrahim Gusau and Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, the northern part of Kwara has never produced Chairman of the State Football Association.
He vowed to re-evaluate and take Kwara football to the next level during his tenure.
‘We have to do our best to rebuild and professionalise football governance by improving the infrastructures and facilities across the state to boost our grassroots developmental programme, he said.
The first Anniversary of Malam Musa’s administration offers an opportunity to reappraise his giant strides and reflect on some of the organisation’s key moments and the projects on ground, despite the avalanche of challenges befalling football in general.
Before coming on board, not many believed he posseses the leadership qualities to change Kwara football, but results of his sheer dexterity and commitment are evident in his one year stewardship.
Less than two weeks after his emergence, he led his board to Lagos to sign a bumper package with Owu Sports wear as the FA official kits sponsor and unveiled a new logo.
The Owu Sports deal was heavily applauded not only in the state but across the Nation, with many regarding it as first of it’s kind.
His emergence came at a time the state witnessed a political change in government which gave the platform to successfully host and completed the first ever U-15 soccer championship tagged ‘Governor’s Cup’ which had all Local Government Areas participating in the competition.
All the teams were kitted by the FA for the competition.
The FA also toured all the 16 Local Government Areas in the state, visiting traditional rulers, major stakeholders and inspecting facilities with plans to upgrade the facilities.
A bogus committee of over 200 members was formed as part of efforts to give football a facelift.
The FA arranged a befitting hosting ceremony for teams that did the state proud on the national scene, which includes Moje Queens of Erin-Ile, Kwara United U-15 team, Kwara Football Academy & Gidado FC.
Mallam Musa has been able to balance his commitments in Kwara together with national assignment, as he graced the Aiteo Cup 2019 finals held in Kaduna, joined the national team delegates that travel to Madagascar amongst other events.
His board has financed all affiliation bodies registration fees (including Referee and Coaches Association) to their respective bodies.
He played an influential role in securing funds from the state government to finance the completion of the State FA Secretariat and also play a key role in securing a naming rights for the AITEO house, among other numerous achievements.