Reflection on Kwara FA 1st Year in Office

On 13th June, 2019, Malam Idris Musa Abdullahi became the first democratically elected Kwara Football association chairman to take over from the former board led by Mallam Busari Ishola.

Thuraya won with 10 votes of the 22 available votes but prior to the elections, supervised by Nigeria Football Federation officials led by Mallam Ibrahim Gusau and Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, the northern part of Kwara has never produced the chairman of the state football association.

His words after taking oath of Office:
“It’s time to re-evaluate and take Kwara football to the next level. We have to do our best to rebuild and professionalise football governance by improving the infrastructures and facilities across the state to go along with our grassroot developmental program”.He said

The first Anniversary of Malam Idris Musa Abdullahi’s administration, offers an opportunity to reappraise his giant strides and reflect on some of the organisation’s key moments and the projects on ground despite the avalanche of challenges befalling football in general.

The day he was democratically voted in, not many believed he posseses the leadership qualities to change Kwara football but fast forward to Malam Musa’s first year anniversary in office and the tide has turned.

Results of his sheer dexterity and commitment are evident in his one year stewardship as highlighted below:

Less than two weeks after his emergence, he led his board to Lagos to sign a bumper package with Owu Sports wear as the FA official kits sponsor and unveiled a new logo.

The Owu Sports deal was heavily applauded not only in the state but across the Nation, with many regarding as first of it’s kind.

His emergence came at a time the state witnessed a political change in government which gave the platform to successfully host and completed the first ever under-15 soccer championship tagged “Governor’s Cup’ which had all local government areas in participation, fully kitted by Owu Sportswear.

Aside kitting, FA also provided football materials to the 16 local government areas that participated.

Malam Musa dogged determination saw him fulfilled part of his campaign promises less than three months in charge when he toured all the sixteen local government areas in the state, visiting traditional rulers, major stakeholders and inspecting facilities with a plans to upgrade.

A bogus committee of over 200 members was formed as part of efforts to give football a facelift.

The FA arranged a befitting hosting ceremony for teams that did the state proud on the national scene namely Moje Queens of Erinle, Kwara united Under-15 team, Kwara Football Academy & Gidado FC.

He has been able to balance his commitments in Kwara together with National assignment, he was at the Aiteo Cup 2019 finals held in Kaduna and also part of the National team delegate that travel to Madagascar amongst other events.

His board has financed all affiliation bodies registration fees (including referee & coaches association) to their respective bodies.

Played an influential role in securing funds from the state government to finance the completion of the state FA Secretariat and also play a key role in securing a naming rights for the AITEO house.

His commitments has seen him received huge commendations from the Amaju Pinnick led board of the Nigeria football federation with whom he has established a robust relationship and while his led board has be organising and controlling football activities in the state without interruption, all football clubs in the state (Including Kwara united, ABSIlorin FC and others) has lived up to the benchmark and directives of LMC.

Palliatives were handle out to affiliated bodies, individuals and stakeholders as part of measures to curb the Corona Virus Pandemic crisis amongst other activities not listed.

Despite limited funds to attend to development issues and challenges, Thuraya as he’s fondly called, remained undaunted and focused in his vision to rebuild football in Kwara state State to an enviable heights, where talents are not only breeded to world class standard but will also be beneficial to their environment.

To Use football as source of generating income for the state, facilitate and ensured world class facilities are provided in a peaceful and secure environment.