Awoniyi Donates Boots to 350 Kwara Youngsters, Keeps Backing Grassroots Football
By: Abudu Olalekan
Three hundred and fifty pairs of boots. That’s what Taiwo Awoniyi just handed out to young players in the Kwara Kiddies League. And honestly, for a lot of these kids, it’s more than just footwear — it’s a signal that somebody actually sees them.
The Super Eagles striker, through his foundation, made the donation over the weekend at a ceremony held on Saturday. It was a simple event, really. No flashy production. Just boots going to kids who need them to chase what might be the biggest dream of their young lives.
Bolakale Mogaji, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, was there to help distribute the boots. He didn’t just show up for the cameras either. Mogaji had real praise for Awoniyi, calling him a genuinely committed partner in grassroots sports development. Not just someone who talks about it at press conferences and moves on.
He made a point too — more people need to do this kind of thing. Not just footballers. Businessmen, politicians, anybody with the means. Because without that kind of support at the ground level, you can’t really build anything sustainable. Mogaji also said he hopes Awoniyi’s example pushes other sports personalities to step up and invest in young talent within their own communities.
Ibrahim Jatto, the Chief Operating Officer of the Kwara Kiddies League, spoke on behalf of the competition’s 500-plus young players. He was pretty direct with his gratitude. According to him, the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation hasn’t just shown up once and disappeared. They’ve been consistent — providing playing kits, meals, and cash rewards worth millions of naira to standout players over the years.
This latest donation, he said, is only going to push the kids harder. A lot of them already dream of going professional, and getting proper boots makes that dream feel a little less far-fetched.
But here’s the part that really caught attention. Jatto talked about how the league has been working to get these youngsters noticed beyond Kwara. They’ve subscribed to scouting and football analysis platforms like Wyscout and Eyeball, which means performances from these kids can now reach scouts and analysts way beyond Nigerian borders.
“With increased visibility through our league’s subscriptions on Wyscout and Eyeball, your continued support is helping create greater opportunities for these young talents,” Jatto said.
That’s a smart move. Talent alone doesn’t cut it anymore. You need exposure. You need someone recording, uploading, and pushing your name in front of the right eyes.
Awoniyi, who also serves as chairman of the Kwara Kiddies League, clearly isn’t treating this role as ceremonial. Between the boots, the kits, the meals, and the prize money, the foundation keeps showing up. And for these 350 kids lacing up fresh boots this week, that consistency matters more than any single grand gesture ever could.
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.