Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday hosted Kwara United Football Club and its U-19 team in Ilorin, following their historic victories in the 2025 President Federation Cup and the inaugural National Youth League, respectively.
The celebration was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Kwara United recently clinched the President Federation Cup title after defeating second-tier Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties, marking a significant achievement in the club’s history.
In recognition of this feat, Governor AbdulRazaq rewarded each player of the senior team with N5 million and a plot of land at the Kwara Smart City.
“This is the biggest trophy in Nigeria today. It is bigger than the League Cup,” the governor declared during a reception held at the Banquet Hall, GRA Ilorin. “This trophy has been in existence even before the league was formed, and now it is in Kwara.”
Governor AbdulRazaq commended the players and officials for their dedication and also reflected on the transformation of the club since his administration took office in 2019.
“When we came in, everything was down. We owed players a lot of money, but today the story has changed,” he said.
He also dedicated the trophy to the late football benefactor Alhaji Yusuf Salami, who invested heavily in the team without state support but never achieved the dream of lifting the cup.
“May Allah grant him Alijanna Fridaous,” the governor prayed.
The victorious team was celebrated with a triumphant motorcade that paraded through the city from Eiyenkorin to the reception venue, drawing jubilant crowds along the streets.
Dignitaries at the event included:
- Rukayat Shittu, Chairperson, House Committee on Sports
- Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga, Member representing Shawo/Essa Constituency
- Princess Olubukola Babalola, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor
- Coach Bola Magaji, Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission
- Kumbi Titiloye, Chairman, Kwara United FC
- Malam Abdullahi Musa Thuraya, Chairman, Kwara State Football Association
- Head Coach Tunde Sanni, APC chieftain Alhaji Yahya Seriki, and other government officials and sports stakeholders.
Both Coach Magaji and Kumbi Titiloye lauded the Governor for his unwavering support and strategic investment in sports development in the state, which they said has significantly lifted the fortunes of Kwara United and grassroots football.