The 16th edition of the Kwara State Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON)/Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) and Commissioner of Police Cup ended in style on Friday at the Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin, with thrilling matches and glowing tributes to the role of sports in youth development and crime prevention.
In the Under-17 boys’ final, Barca Kiddies Football Academy emerged champions after a tense 1–1 draw with Future Stars FA, which was decided on penalties. Barca Kiddies held their nerves to triumph 4–1 in the shootout, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) Cup for girls saw Kwara Ladies United Model Queens FA prove their dominance with a solid 2–0 victory, lifting the POWA Cup and underlining the growing presence of female football in the state.
Earlier, in the Under-13 boys’ final, Future Stars FA redeemed their loss in the U-17 category by edging Unique FA 3–1 on penalties after another 1–1 draw in regulation time.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, emphasized the force’s commitment to supporting grassroots sports as a tool for keeping youths away from crime.
“The police has always been supportive of sports as a means of deterrence from crime and we will continue to do so.
” In Kwara State, we have always maintained cordial relations with the sporting community and this partnership will continue to grow,” CP Ojo said.
His wife, Mrs. Ojo, Chairperson of POWA, highlighted the association’s focus on continuity in encouraging women to embrace sports.
“POWA has always been about continuity. We will continue to use this platform to encourage women in sports,” she stated.
Kwara FA Chairman, Idris Musa Abdullahi, described football as a fast-growing industry in the state and commended YSFON and POWA for creating opportunities for young talents. He also called for greater investment in the grassroots game.
YSFON Kwara State Chairman, Prince Ademola Kiyesola, showered encomiums on CP Ojo for backing the competition despite short notice, stressing that his support demonstrated commitment to youth engagement through sports as a crime-prevention strategy.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Kwara State Sports Commission, security agencies, media, and other stakeholders who helped make the event successful.
The grand finale capped weeks of intense football action among Kwara’s budding stars, further affirming the state’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s emerging hubs of grassroots sports.