Kwara Football Academy (KFA) has announced the maiden edition of the Ibrahim Bako U13 Championship, a grassroots football tournament organised in honour of its outgoing Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako.

The championship, which is designed to celebrate and immortalise Mallam Bako’s immense contribution to the growth and development of the Academy, will commence on 1st February 2026 and run through 27th February 2026, a symbolic date that coincides with his official retirement from service.

The tournament will feature 16 U-13 teams drawn from across Kwara State, providing a competitive platform for young football talents within the state to showcase their skills and gain valuable match experience.

Registration for the championship opens on 23rd January and closes on 30th January 2026, with a registration fee of ₦10,000 per team.

Speaking on the initiative, the Technical Director of Kwara Football Academy, Coach Sam Elijah, who also serves as the Tournament Coordinator, reiterated the Academy’s resolve to use the competition as a platform to honour the outgoing Administrator.

According to him, the championship is not only meant to celebrate Mallam Bako’s years of dedicated service but also to reflect his unwavering commitment to grassroots football development.

Coach Elijah noted that the Academy is intentional about using the tournament to celebrate leadership, service, and excellence while continuing to build the next generation of footballers.

Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako is widely regarded as a central figure in the steady growth of Kwara Football Academy, having played a significant role in strengthening its administrative framework and youth development programmes.