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Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has assured that Kwara United Football Club will play its CAF Confederation Cup home matches at the refurbished Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl of the George Innih Agbazika Stadium, Ilorin, a move projected to boost the state’s economy, enhance the club’s brand, and increase revenue from gate takings.
The Governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection of the ongoing facility upgrades at the stadium, led by the Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Mogaji.
AbdulRazaq explained that his administration’s investment in modernising the stadium is not only about meeting CAF’s approval requirements, but also about positioning Kwara as a sports and tourism hub.
“We are determined to ensure Kwara United plays its CAF matches here in Ilorin. This is about more than football; it is about boosting our local economy. Hotels, restaurants, and small businesses will all feel the positive impact,” he said.
He listed the renovation of dressing rooms, hosting facilities, the pitch, scoreboard, and health and safety measures as priorities, noting that these upgrades are aligned with his broader plan to reposition Kwara’s sporting infrastructure.
Hosting continental matches in Ilorin is expected to drive higher gate receipts for Kwara United, enhance the club’s brand visibility on the African stage, and provide direct economic opportunities for residents.
“We don’t want our team to play in Lagos or Abuja. Every match hosted here means business for our people, and pride for our state,” the Governor added.
His reassurance has rekindled hopes among fans that the team will enjoy home advantage in Ilorin while the state reaps the economic dividends of hosting international football.