As the 2025 Kwara Kiddies League season comes to an end on Sunday in Ilorin, part-owner of the league and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has assured stakeholders of a more standardised and better-structured competition in the coming season.
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The Nottingham Forest forward made this known while speaking on a Channels Television sports programme, where he highlighted the importance of strong organisation in grassroots football development.
Awoniyi noted that talent alone is not enough to produce top players, stressing that a clear structure is essential in guiding young footballers towards professional careers.
“Football is not just about bringing together the best players. It is about structure, and to build that structure, we must provide a platform that will guide these young players towards becoming professionals,” Awoniyi said.
He praised the dedication of Mallam Ibrahim Bako and Ibrahim Jatto for initiating the Kwara Kiddies League, describing their efforts as the foundation upon which he later partnered to help grow and strengthen the competition.
According to Awoniyi, their vision has created a sustainable platform for discovering and nurturing young talents.
Awoniyi also rated the Kwara Kiddies League as one of the best youth leagues in Nigeria, applauding its unique approach of combining football with education to ensure holistic development of the participants.
“The Kiddies League is a platform to develop talents not only in football but also in education,” he added.
The Super Eagles striker further commended Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his strong support of grassroots football, noting that the enabling environment provided by the state government has played a key role in the league’s success.
In addition, Awoniyi reacted to the Super Eagles’ squad list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, expressing satisfaction with the selection and calling on Nigerians to give the team full backing ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
“The coach, Eric Chelle, knows what he wants. The players and the country must accept the list and support the team,” he said.
With the 2025 season set to conclude, Awoniyi’s assurances signal a renewed commitment to raising standards in the Kwara Kiddies League as it continues to serve as a vital pathway for the next generation of Nigerian footballers.
