Ahead of the 2027 political season, the organisers of the Play With Kwara Youths (PWKY) initiative have called on residents of Kwara State, particularly youths, to place unity, peace and communal brotherhood above political differences.
The call was made on Tuesday September 8th 2026 at a Press Conference in Ilorin where the organisers unveiled the sixth edition of the Play With Kwara Youths games with the theme: “Kwara First: Putting Unity Above Political Differences.”
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, the spokesperson of PWKY, Mr. Basheer Luqman Olarewaju (Unique), said the initiative was conceived about four years ago by its convener, Comrade Yusuf Mutiu Olaitan, popularly known as Young Sturaro, as a platform to use sports to bridge political and social divides among youths in the state.
According to him, the initiative was conceived during the build-up to the 2023 elections, when political tension was high, with the belief that football and other recreational activities could foster friendship, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among young Kwarans.
“Politics will come and go, political parties will rebrand, but Kwara remains our eternal home,” he said, urging residents to protect the bonds that unite them irrespective of political affiliations.
Olarewaju further cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, hate speech and division, urging them instead to use sports as a platform to promote sportsmanship, tolerance and mutual respect.
According to him, young people should “kick out hate speech, dribble past bigotry, and score massive goals for peace, progress and youth empowerment.”
The spokesperson explained that PWKY began with about 45 participants during its maiden edition has grown significantly over the years, attracting approximately 100 participants in the second edition, 200 in the third, more than 300 in the fourth, and over 500 registrations in the most recent edition.
Olarewaju said PWKY 6.0 would further expand the scope of the initiative with competitions in football, table tennis, ludo, scrabble and whot, alongside other side attractions such as Brain Battle, which he said would test participants’ mental agility while remaining integrated under the tournament’s conventional team structure.
He attributed the growth and sustainability of the initiative to the support of philanthropists, political leaders, religious figures and other stakeholders across different divides, stressing that “the supporters had demonstrated their commitment to youth development by investing in an initiative that promotes peaceful coexistence and provides young people with opportunities to interact beyond political, religious and social differences.”
Explaining this year’s theme, Olarewaju said it was particularly relevant as political activities and preparations for the 2027 elections gradually intensify across the country. He also disclosed that the organisers would hold the second edition of the PWKY Dinner and Award Night, describing it as another opportunity to celebrate outstanding youths and contributors to the initiative.
Responding to questions from the Journalists, PWKY convener, Comrade Comrade Yusuf Mutiu Olaitan (Young Sturaro) explained that the members of the public should expect the official registration e-form before the end of September 2026.
He added that the 6th edition will expand it’s participants due to unimaginable turn out in the last edition. According to him the initiative will rebrand the special team to “Brain Battle” game and put them under a coach. Comrade Mutiu also disclosed that the organizers are deliberating on the possibility of expanding the participating football teams.
On whether there would be a post 2027 election edition, the convener said, “If we’re united by the 6th edition there would be no reason to hold another edition post election.”
Responding to the aftermath allegations from the 5th edition about committee members having inputs in the officiating by influencing the decisions of the match officials, Comrade Mutiu said, “no committee member has ever influenced the decisions of the match officials, adding that all games especially football officials are registered officials.”