Alhaji Mohammed Haruna Maigidansama Ilerika has congratulated all the newly elected Chairmen and members of the 16 Local Football Councils in Kwara State, describing their emergence as another important step towards strengthening football development at the grassroots.
The elections, held on Tuesday at the Football House in Ilorin, produced new executives for the 16 Local Football Councils across the state.
Maigidansama particularly commended the leadership of the Kwara State Football Association, under the chairmanship of Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya, for ensuring a peaceful, transparent and rancour-free electoral process.
He described the conduct of the elections as a demonstration of maturity, unity and commitment to the growth of football in Kwara State, noting that the atmosphere surrounding the exercise reflected the determination of the FA leadership to promote inclusiveness and stability within the football family.
According to him, the successful conclusion of the elections has further strengthened confidence in the administration of football in the state.
He urged the newly elected officers to regard their positions not merely as leadership opportunities, but as a call to serve the people and contribute meaningfully to the development of football, particularly at the grassroots.
Maigidansama charged the new Council executives to bring their wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities, while working closely with clubs, schools, academies, coaches, referees, players and other stakeholders within their respective jurisdictions.
He particularly challenged the newly elected officers in Kwara Central and Ilorin East to justify the confidence reposed in them by the football community by developing sustainable programmes capable of discovering and nurturing young talents.
“Your election is a call to service. You must see these positions as an opportunity to contribute to the development of football, rather than an avenue for personal gains.
“Bring your experience, knowledge and passion to bear. The future of Kwara football depends largely on what we do at the grassroots, where young talents are discovered and developed.
“Let there be programmes that will take football to our communities, schools and local clubs. We must create opportunities for young boys and girls to develop their talents and aspire to greater heights,” Maigidansama said.
He also appealed to the new executives to work harmoniously with the Kwara State Football Association and other stakeholders, stressing that unity and cooperation remained essential to achieving meaningful progress.
Maigidansama further congratulated Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya and the entire leadership of the Kwara FA for successfully conducting the elections without rancour, urging the Association to sustain the culture of consultation, fairness and inclusiveness.
He expressed optimism that the emergence of the new Local Football Council executives would usher in a new phase of grassroots football development and provide a stronger foundation for the discovery of future stars from Kwara State.
He wished all the newly elected officers a successful tenure and urged them to make the development of football and the welfare of its stakeholders the central focus of their administration.
