Olowo Hamidu is the Secretary, Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin.
In this interview with MIKE ADEYEMI he speaks on his emergence as the
football club scribe as well as the likelihood of the club coming back
to top league next season. Exercpts:
How did receive news of your appointments as Kwara United scribe?
Actually, the appointment was pre-meditate, because as human we all
aspire for a particular height in life. But, I know it’s God’s doing.
I got the news of my appointment through a call from somebody and
later I heard it myself via the radio. I was indeed emotionally
overwhelmed by the news.
As Kwara United secretary, what are your plans to uphold the glory of the club?
Within the first three weeks of the inauguration of this board,
coupled with the efforts of my chairman, we co-opted a team, we played
for the Gold cup though dropped out at the semi final. In our first
outing outside the state, we won a pre-season cup tourney. Our aim is
to get Kwara United back to the premier league. Also we want to get a
continental ticket. Towards achieving these objectives, we must
desist from praising any member of the board, rather we have to
commend the Governor of Kwara State. In as much as we praise the
Governor, invariably we are praising Kwara United. As a board, our
sole mandate is working towards the growth of the club, not
individuals. We want the stakeholders to join us in doing this. We
don’t want side talks, but constructive criticism. Tell us where our
weakneses are as it would enable us to re-double our efforts.
What do you think hampered football development in Kwara State?
One problem militating against the development of football in the
state is self interest. Most People are after monetary gain; they are
not ready to contribute their quota to the development of the system.
I took up the job purely to contribute my own quota to the development
of Kwara United. If we put service before everything, money will come
later. Within a short time of our appointments, the club has new
lease of life. Many NPFL teams are now searching for our players to
lure them away from us. We will do all within our ambits to ensure
they are not poached.
We want to appeal to the general public to come to us for constructive
criticism that could propel us forward. So in a nutshell, selfishness
is the utmost bane to the development of football in the state. With
the help of my chairman, we are planning to bring a lot of innovations
to Kwara United. We want to have our own club house here. We want to
have our own pitch here too. We have given the state governor our
proposal. We want all our things to be Kwara United based.
Are you of the opinion that state of emergency should be declared on
sports in Kwara?
Individuals’ views vary. I think those who are of that school of
thought are saying that based on their worldview. The Kwara State
Government has good agenda for sports in the state. Let us wait for
the government to come out with its programmes, if it suits our
peculiarity in Kwara State, no doubt we will embrace it
If the government comes out with its plans, we would endeavour to
join hands with them. We can only advise the government, not
criticize.
What assurances can you give soccer enthusiasts in the state on the
likelihood of Kwara United coming back to the NPFL next season?
By the grace of God and coupled with the number of players on ground
and the performance of our team at Asaba, I’m very hopeful that we ‘ll
get back to the top league. When we had the draw prior the tournament
in Asaba, I was a bit skeptical , but the GM busted my doubt.
In fact, the premier league teams are now scared of Kwara United. So
I’m assuring us that by the power of God, we will suprise Kwarans in
positive ways.
