By Olayinka Owolewa
Super Eagles of Nigeria and Nottingham Forest of England striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has constructed a modern-day dressing room for Sheikh Abdulkadir College, Ilorin, the school at which he was discovered.
The former Liverpool forward also renovated the pavilion of the school in an attempt to give back to the society that made him.
The Chairman of the organizing committee for the striker’s sponsored football tourney, tagged “Never Stop Dreaming Cup 2023”, Coach Mustapha Olokode, told newsmen in Ilorin at the opening ceremony of the tournament that the gesture is one in many to come for the college.
Olokode also hinted at the Super Eagles striker’s plans to lay artificial grass on the pitch later, which is in the next phase of Awoniyi’s support for the college.
The representative from the Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, who also doubles as the State Coordinator for School Sports, Mr. Joshua Yisa, commended Awoniyi for his intervention and the idea of the tournament.
“This is a welcome development. Awoniyi has put a smile on the faces of many youths by sponsoring this competition,” Yisa said.
He also lauded the Nottingham Forest striker for the construction of modern dressing rooms, toilets, and office at the college where the competition is being held.
Meanwhile, Awoniyi’s Football Academy, Unicorn FA, has defeated Sunshine 2-0 in the opening game of the 26-team format competition.
The 26-team format tournament is expected to pull no fewer than 500 players across the state together.
The eventual winner be smiling home with a cash prize of N1 million, the runners-up will get N700,000, while the third-place winner will scoop N500,000.
Outstanding players at the end of the tournament are also expected to bag home many gifts, including cash prizes and football materials.
