It was all glitz and glamour on Sunday, when one of the leading football academies in Nigeria, Kwara Football Academy (KFA) held its annual awards and prize giving ceremony.
The event had players from all the Academy’s cadre and staffers being honoured for their outstanding performances after a painstaking evaluation of the standard system of the college in the year under review.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mrs.Joana Nnazua Kolo, who was represented by her husband, Mr Moses Kolo assured the Academy of government’s continued support and commended all the staffers and players for their dedication and committment towards making the college great.
The Administrator of the Academy, Kehinde Jimoh in his remarks revealed that the 2020 edition of the award ceremony is significant, adding that even with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, none of his staffers, players and students fell victim, hence the need to appreciate God.
Kehinde added that the Academy under his watch decided to give scholarship to 25 players with 16 of them from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the him, the initiative, which was meritoriously carried out by the Technical Department of the institution was to further strengthen it’s creed in establishing and showcasing talented players with a view to helping them make career out of their potentials.
The permanent Secretary of the Ministry Barrister Iyabo Banire in her speech, urged the institution to continue their stride in making the state proud as she also admonished the players to remain disciplined in order to make the best of the opportunity the college has to offer.
In the player’s award category, Abdulakeem Umar won the Best Player of the Red Team, while Ohue Winner led the Sky Blue section. Joe Akpan was voted the Best Player in the Blue Team cadre.
Samuel Sunday, who has been scouted by the Head Coach of Kauno Zalgris of Lithuania Club tipped other players to become the Best in Yellow Team, with the Goal of the Year award going to Godwin Oshagbemi, the son of the former Nigerian International and current goalkeeper of Kwara United, Daniel Aiyenugba won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Garba Abubakar stole the show by emerging as the Overall Best Player of the Academy in the year 2020, after beating Samuel Sunday and last year’s winner, Godwin Oshagbemi to the most revered award of the day.
The staffers’ award category produced Oladele Funke as the Best Teacher of the Year and with Hammed Fatai Olabamiji topping the Administrative level; the Olympique de Marsielle trained coach, Muritala Agboola won the Best Coach of the Year award
The Academy, which won three trophies this year also seized the opportunity to launch it’s official newsletter; ‘Knights of Football Action’- a magazine which contains all the latest information about the institution.
Presentation of certififates and medals to the players who won the 37th edition of YSFON organised Ramat Cup International for U-15 boys soccer tournament in Kano also made the climax of the ceremony.
Beneficiaries who received their certififates of scholarship includeYusuf Ismail and Abubakar Muhammed from Edu Local Government Area, Shola Adelekan from Moro, Aliyu Nafiu, Kaiama, Suleiman Abdulkadir and Usman Yusuf from Patigi, Musa Moshood and Tunde Adeniji of Baruten and Offa Local Government Areas.
Others are Ahmed Abdulkadir from Ilorin West, Umar M.T Yusuf, Kaiama, Muazu Abdulrahman from Patigi, Godwin Oshagbemi, Garba Abubakar, Azeez Sodiq, IshiakShamsudeen, Muhydeen Yinus, Ohue Winner, Sunday Samuel, Ibukun Olawunmi and Rabiu Sanni all making the list.
Top football stakeholders at the event includes the Chairman of Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Kwara State, Tunde Sanni, Prince Ademola Kiyesola, Kwara YSFON Chairman, ABS Ilorin FC Coach, Anthony Encho, CEO Phreestyle sports, Shogo Shodunnke, Alhaji Toyin Abdullahi, President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, (ANCOPSS), Kwara State, CEO and Publisher of Sportspro News, Bayour Issah among many others.
