Sixteen football teams representing each of Kwara State’s 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Seyi Tinubu Citizens Cup Football Competition, scheduled to hold from 12th to 19th April 2025 in Ilorin, the state capital.

The tournament, organised to unearth grassroots football talent and engage youths in constructive activities, will feature players aged 18 to 25 competing in a knockout format over seven days.

Mr. Aliyu Olamilekan Bello, Head of the Organising Committee, announced the details at a press briefing in Ilorin, commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support of sports and youth development. “This initiative is not just about football—it’s a lifeline to empower young people and build a thriving Kwara,” Bello stated.

He added that the competition will serve as a scouting platform to identify promising athletes while diverting youths from social vices.

Bello equally commended Seyi Tinubu for providing what he said, wasn’t just a football tournament, but a platform, a stage for young Nigerians to rise. He also thanked Otega Ogra for the opportunity.

“Seyi Tinubu understands that football is not just a game, it’s a language that speaks to every dreamer, a bridge that connects aspirations to reality”, he added.

He charged the young athletes to take advantage of the moment, by playing with passion, integrity, and also remember that it’s bigger than winning a trophy.

The State’s Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Hajia Maryam Nnafatima Imam, described the initiative as laudable and all inclusive, even as she commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for prioritising youth and sports development.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Magaji, also described the initiative as fantastic, and a way of getting youths engaged meaningfully.