The main bowl of the Kwara State Stadium Complex has now been renamed Rasheed Yekini Sports Complex, Ilorin.
This was contained in a statement released yesterday by Rafiu Ajakaiye, the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the state government has now bequeathed the stadium in honour of the former Super Eagle striker who died in 2012.
“The main bowl of the Stadium is named after the late Rashidi Yekini, a football legend renowned for scoring Nigeria’s first world cup goal and the country highest goal scorer till date” the statement reads.
Yekini, who died in 2012 at 48 years of age, hailed from Ira in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Yekini who scored 37 goals in international matches and represented Nigeria in seven football tournaments including two World Cups, scored the country’s first-ever World Cup goal at USA 1994. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
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Meanwhile, Kwara State Stadium Complex will now be known as Major-General George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex in appreciation of his contributions to the state.
Similarly, Governor Abdulrazaq has approved for some other important state facilities to be named as follows: Table Tennis Arena is named after Atanda Musa (Manza Musa), who was a national champion in the games in 1979.
Indoor Sports Hall is named after Gabriel Babatunde Ladipo, the first black principal of the Government Technical Training School Ilorin (GTTS) who was regarded as the father of sports in the state.
Squash Court is named after Coach Bolakale Mogaji, executive chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission who was the pioneer coach, player, and national champion in the squash game.
KFA Academy is named after Coach Usman Adenuja, the first football coach who took the Kwara Academicals to the final of Academical football competition. The Governor was among his products.
Also, Hostel A of the stadium is named after Salihu Ishola, the first Kwara State born athlete to win as Commonwealth Games’ medal; Hostel B is named after Paralympic badminton bronze medallist Bolaji Eniola; and Hostel C is named after Bola Esan, the first female director of sports.