The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission (KSC), Coach Bola Mogaji, hosted a special Iftar gathering on Thursday, bringing together the Kwara Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Kwara SWAN), the Kwara State Football Association (KWSFA), and other key sports stakeholders in the state.
The event, held today, 13th of March 2025 at the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) conference room, served as a platform for fostering unity, peace, and collaboration among sports administrators, journalists, and stakeholders. Coach Mogaji emphasized that the gathering was not only for spiritual reflection during Ramadan but also aimed at complementing the efforts of Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in advancing sports development.
“The essence of this Iftar is to foster unity, peace, and love within the sports community in Kwara State,” Mogaji stated. “When we come together in this manner, it strengthens our resolve to support the governor’s vision for sports development and ensures we work collectively for progress.”
During his remarks, Coach Mogaji also underscored the importance of planning sports activities carefully during Ramadan, ensuring that athletes maintain peak performance without compromising their spiritual obligations.
“Fasting can affect athletes and lead to low productivity if careful planning of the sports calendar doesn’t take the period of abstinence into consideration,” he noted. “However, faith permits athletes to defer their fast and make up for it during the off-season, ensuring that their performance remains optimal.”
Kwara Football Association Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi, popularly known as Thuraya, praised Coach Mogaji for his leadership and for organizing a gathering that promotes peace, unity, and love among sports stakeholders in the state.
“The Executive Chairman has shown true leadership by bringing us together in the spirit of unity. Events like this reinforce the importance of collaboration and mutual respect in the sports sector,” Thuraya stated.
Similarly, the Chairman of SWAN, Mallam Ismaila Ayodeji, emphasized the need for increased support for sports development from all members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter. He urged journalists to use their platforms to promote and support sporting activities across the state.
The Iftar event brought together several notable figures in Kwara sports, including the Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Oladele Bako; Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, Hon. Idris Musa Abdullahi (Thuraya); General Manager of Kwara United Football Club, Mallam Bashir Badawiy; Director of ABS FC, High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka; SWAN Chairman, Ismaila Ayodeji; Former Director of Sports, Alhaji Sheu; Mr. Sports Bayo Issa; ABS Coordinator, Jimoh Bashir; SWAN Vice President, Yinka Owolewa, and many others.
The event concluded with prayers for the continued development of sports in Kwara, emphasizing the need for teamwork, shared commitment, and a collective effort to uplift the sector.
