Ex-players of Highlander Football Club of Ilorin are set to hold a reunion get-together nearly 41 years after.
The event which is expected to hold on the 6th-7th June at the team’s manager’s residence along Haji camp, Ilorin, Kwara State will have in attendance ex-players who have excel themselves in various field of endeavors.
Speaking on behalf of the ex-players, Gesinde Adedeji said the maiden reunion is meant to bring together members of the club who had parted ways 41 years ago.
According to him, Highlanders Football Club was an household name in Kwara State which was established in the late 70s.
“Though, it was not a full fledged team but a collection of youths around Gambari, Ita Ajia, Oketa, Ile film, Ojagboro, Okesuna, Sabo Oke and Pataka.
“The team later metamorphosed into NIPOST Football Club of Ilorin.”
He said making the team unique was the bulk of the players who are school boys who could not be tapped by Ministry of sports scouts.
Continuing, “at inception, the team was solely financed with school fees and pocket money by then a school boy but now a renowned season broadcaster, Mohammad Abdulkadri of NTA Headquarters’.
Gesinde added that the team have average more 5-10 players in any state team preparing for any competition such as Tunde Ayinla Rondo of blessed memory , Tunde Sanni former captain and coach of Kwara United, Ex Eaglets, Femi Oki and Dele Abubakar Alhaji ,.
“In 1983, Highlanders became 2nd best team at Ramat Cup organised by YSFON when they lost to Kano team after penalty and was qualified to represent Nigeria in Finland and Sweden but due to political logjam as the military overthrew the civilian government then made it impossible for the team to make the journey.
“The team’s closest rivals were Sparks Football Team, Hamburg of Fagba area, Rainbow FC of Baboko, Red Devils of Ipata”, he recalled.
