Senator Sadiq Sulaiman Umar has made a strong case for grassroots football development, stating that if well promoted, it could make viable economic gains for Kwara State.
The Senator made this comment while declaring open the second edition of the prestigious Governor’s U-15 Football Championship, otherwise known as the Governor’s Cup today Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, at the Main-Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
The Senator, while speaking to newsmen also said that he was recommitted to supporting the annual Governor’s Cup because of the gains that comes from it economically.
“From the grassroots tournament like this, young talents get scouted and taken abroad to earn dollars that they can bring back into the state,” he said.
The tournament, a follow-up to the first edition, and numerous grassroots talent discovery programmes is being organised by Kwara State Football Association, under the Chairmanship of Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, popularly known as Thuraya.
The opening ceremony was attended by traditional rulers from across the the state, while all 16 Local Goveòrnment Football Councils were represented.
The Senator, who has been supporting the development of the round leather game before now, said that the fact that the platform had served as a launchpad for the discovery of talents made him committed to the cause, pointing out that more efforts should be invested in the broadening of the platform.
It would be recalled that six of the players discovered during the first edition are now plying their trade in Kwara United Football Club.
The FA Chairman, Thuraya commended the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the sponsor, Senator Sidiq, the Sports Commission, being led by Mallam Bola Magaji and the 16 Football Councils, for their support.
The competition commences fully tomorrow, Thursday December 21, 2023, with eight matches.
Ilorin East will takes on Oyun by 8.00am, while Ilorin South squares up with Isin 8.00am at the same time, in Pitch A and Pitch B of the Kwara Football Academy respectively.
Also tomorrow, Barutein takes on Ifelodun by 9.00am, and Edu will be against Ilorin West at the same time, in Pitch A and pitch B, respectively.
By 10.00am, it will be the turn of Moro against Offa, and Asa versus Oke-Ero, both by 10.00am, and Ekiti tackling Irepodun, as well as Patigi against Kaiama, both at 11.00am, at both Pitches A and B of KFA, respectively.
