The newly commissioned Zeems Sports Arena played host to the highly anticipated Kwara South Football Fiesta on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The event brought together the three sub-Yoruba ethnic groups in the Kwara South Senatorial District for a morning of excitement, sportsmanship, and community bonding.
Held from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, the fiesta featured a series of matches designed to strengthen communal bonds and foster networking among the participants. The event was a resounding success, with attendees praising the initiative for promoting unity and friendship among the various ethnic groups.
The football fiesta started with an enthusiastic crowd filling the arena, eager to support their teams who had travelled from far and near. The atmosphere was electric, with vibrant displays of contemporary music provided by Cruise DJ Sulex setting the stage for the matches.
Three teams, representing the Igbomina, Ibolo, and Ekiti sub-Yoruba ethnic groups in Kwara South, competed against each other in a round-robin format. Each match showcased the skill, determination, and camaraderie of the players, as they battled it out on the pitch with the goal of strengthening communal bond.
The first match of the day saw the Igbomina team face off against the Ibolo team in a thrilling encounter. Both sides demonstrated exceptional talent and teamwork, but it was the Ibolo team that emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Adeyeye. The second match featured the Ekiti team taking on the Ibolo team. Despite a valiant effort from the Igbomina players, the Ibolo team secured a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Jarus.
The final match of the day was a highly anticipated clash between the Igbomina and Ekiti teams. With both sides having suffered defeats in their earlier matches, the stakes were high. The game was a nail-biting affair, with end-to-end action and numerous scoring opportunities. In the end, the match concluded in favour of the Ekiti team with a 3-0 victory.
The competition also featured the recognition of some notable personalities for their contributions to community development. These are Aremo Odo of Oro Kingdom, Mr. Anthony Oyeyiola; Mr Suraj Oyewale, CEO Jarus Homes; Aare Bobajiroro of Offa land, Mr. Musbau Olaniyi for building such a global standard sports facilities in Offa; Alabi Hamed, CEO Hadji Mart. This session was anchored by Adetola Kehinde and Titilope Anifowose.
While being appreciative of all the sponsors who made financial contributions to the event, the Convener, Adetola Kehinde opined that with Kwara South Football Fiesta, we have witnessed not just the spirit of competition, but the spirit of unity and brotherhood that defines us as a community. This fiesta is a testament to our commitment to fostering strong communal ties and celebrating our co-existence.
As the sun set over Zeems Sports Arena, the sense of achievement and togetherness was palpable, marking the event as a memorable and successful celebration of sports and community in Kwara South.
