From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Technical Officer of the Kwara Kiddies League, Coach Paul Odeh, has predicted a bright future for players emerging from the league, saying they are on course to dominate Nigeria’s national team in the coming years.
Odeh made the assertion recently during the grand finale of the Kwara Kiddies League, held in Ilorin, where he described the young talents on display as exceptional and capable of representing the country at the highest level.
“With what I have seen here, the Kwara Kiddies League is a blessing to the state. It will put Kwara in the limelight,” Odeh said. “If this level of development continues in the next five years, the national team will be dominated by players from this league.”
Related News
The former Technical Director of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), noted that the league stands out as a unique grassroots football project in Nigeria, stressing that its steady improvement from year to year shows a well-structured vision for youth development.
He further pointed to the growing success stories from the system as proof of its quality. “One of the players from the Kwara Football Academy is already heading to Chelsea. That alone tells you the kind of talents being produced here,” he added.
The Kwara Kiddies League is a grassroots youth football competition run by the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation, designed to nurture young talents from an early age and prepare them for professional careers.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the League Board and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, said the league is fast becoming a benchmark for youth football development in Nigeria. Represented by his elder brother, Julius Awoniyi, he said the initiative goes beyond football.
“This league is not just about competition; it blends football with education, well-being and character development,” Awoniyi said. “We are shaping not only future footballers but also future leaders. Sports, when built on the right values, can guide young boys towards discipline, responsibility and purpose.”
Chief Operating Officer of the league, Ibrahim Jatto, explained that the league was established strictly as a long-term developmental project, aligned with international best practices.
“The purpose of the league is already being achieved. It is a developmental scheme with a six-year target, starting with players from the age of 12, which aligns with FIFA regulations on training compensation,” Jatto said. “By the time these boys turn 18, they should be ripe, well-trained and ready to become professionals.”
The Kwara State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Sports, Hon. Rukayat Shittu, also applauded the initiative, assuring that the legislature and the state government would continue to support ideas capable of positioning Kwara as the sports hub of the North Central region.
She commended the league for engaging young boys positively and steering them away from social vices. “This is an initiative that impacts lives, takes children off the streets and uplifts the image of the state,” she said.
The highlight of the grand finale was the season-ending match between Kwara Football Academy and Gaa Akanbi Kids, which saw KFA clinch a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a decisive goal from Kamaldeen Jimoh.
KFA emerged champions of the 2025 season, securing a record fourth title after previous triumphs in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The event also featured the presentation of plaques and cash prizes ranging from N100,000 to N200,000 to outstanding players and officials.
The league, which started as the Kwara U-12 YEG League, has grown into a 14-team competition played in a home-and-away format, with 182 matches scheduled over a 26-week season.
