Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday hosted Kwara United Football Club and its U-19 team following their recent victories in the 2025 President Federation Cup and the inaugural National Youth League, respectively.
This was made known in a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Kwara United secured the 2025 President Federation Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout win over second-tier side Abakaliki FC, prevailing 4-3.
During a reception held at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, the Governor announced a reward of ₦5 million and a plot of land at the Kwara Smart City for each member of the senior team. He commended their outstanding achievement in bringing the prestigious national trophy to the state.
“This is the biggest trophy in Nigeria today. It is bigger than the League Cup,” AbdulRazaq stated. “This competition has been in existence even before the league was formed. The trophy is in Kwara today. I must congratulate everybody who has made it happen.”
He reflected on the transformation of Kwara United since assuming office in 2019, recalling that the club was struggling financially at the time.
“When we came in 2019, everything was down. We owed players a lot of money, but today the story has changed,” he said. “So, I thank you all for what you are doing.”
Governor AbdulRazaq also dedicated the trophy to the memory of Alhaji Yusuf Salami, a passionate football figure who had long dreamed of bringing the title to Kwara.
“Our administration is dedicating this trophy in memory of Alhaji Yusuf Salami, who spent his entire wealth without government support to bring in this trophy to Kwara, but he didn’t succeed. May Allah grant him Alijanna Fridaous,” he said.
The reception followed a city-wide motorcade from Eiyenkorin to the venue, with cheering crowds lining the streets of Ilorin to celebrate the team’s historic win.
Present at the event were several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Rukayat Shittu; Shawo/Essa Constituency representative, Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga; Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Olubukola Babalola; Kwara State Sports Commission Chairman, Coach Bola Magaji; Kwara United FC Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye; and the State Football Association Chairman, Malam Abdullahi Musa Thuraya.
Head Coach Tunde Sanni, APC chieftain Alhaji Yahya Seriki, cabinet members, and other sports stakeholders were also in attendance.
Coach Bola Magaji and Chairman Titiloye, in separate remarks, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support and commitment to the club’s growth and development.
