Kwara State government, as well as the Tradition Council in the state have thrown their weight behind the successful organization of Emir of Ilorin Football competition, initiated to celebrate the 11th Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
At the official unveiling of the championship trophy and draws ceremony today, Saturday October 7th, 2023, at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq pledged total support to the initiative.
The Governor, who was represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji equally called on Kwarans to support the organization of the grassroots football competition, aimed at complementing the efforts of his administration at developing youth and sports.
The championship trophy was donated by Mallam Bola Magaji, who equally pledged continuous support to the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), so as to make.the competition worthwhile.
The representative of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Uthman Abubakar Atolagbe Jos, who is the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin said that the Emir and the Traditional Council are well pleased with the revival of the competition, even as he pledged the support of the Traditional Council to the competition.
He commended the Organizers and the participating teams, as he called for fair participation and fair officiating that will bring out the beauty of the round leather game, and add value to the Emirate.
The FA Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, popularly known as Thuraya, who described the competition as historic, charged all other Football Councils to emulate Ilorin West Football Council, by sustaining the development of football at the grassroots.
Earlier in his opening address, the Chairman of the MOC, who is also the Chairman of Ilorin West Football Council, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Adebayo Owolabi Agbaji Wopa said that the competition is unique, and added that it will be uniquely staged to celebrate a unique personality, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
While commending Mallam Bola Magaji for donating trophy for the competition, he sought for the support of all, towards staging a befitting competition to celebrate 11th Emir of Ilorin.
The competition will commence on Saturday October 14th, 2023, and matches will be played at Queen Elizabeth School, Unilorin Secondary school, Sheikh Abdulkadri College and Kwara Football Academy, while the final will hold at the Main-Bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Thirty-three clubs have registered to participate in the competition, and drawn in Group A are El-Lado Football Club, Rhema Chapel FC, Athletico FC of Bode Saadu and Barrier Football Academy. Sunshine FC tops the list of clubs in Group B. The others are Prince Ademola Foundation Football Academy, Shao and Adezzi Football Academy.
Foresight Football Academy is in Group C alongside Unilorin Warriors, Injectors FC, Kwara Polytechnic FC and Oladunni FC, Shao. Waziri FC, Okaa Sports, Skills FC and Romeo Football Academy will play from Group D.
The fifth group, Group E are Police FC, La Planet Sport Academia, AbbreySports FC and Gaa Akanbi FC, as Future Stars joins Petvic Soccer College, Sunrise Football Academy and One Love FC in Group F.
The last two groups, Group G and H have KWASU FC, Ashab Football Academy, Kwara United FC and Estee Guys FC, as well as College of Education, Ilorin, Musty FC, ABS FC and Royal Football Academy, respectively.
