Play With Kwara Youths (PWKY), the leading youth unity and sports engagement initiative in Kwara State, has recorded a groundbreaking 513 applications for its 5th edition within three days, representing a 24 per cent increase from the 415 participants in the previous edition.

The initiative has transcended state boundaries, attracting a significant number of applicants from neighbouring Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Kogi States, signaling the growing regional appeal of PWKY as a unifying platform for youth engagement and sportsmanship.

The 5th edition recorded participation from all 16 local government areas in Kwara State, with Ilorin West leading with 232 applicants (45.2%), followed by Ilorin East with 72 participants (14.0%) and Ilorin South with 34 participants (6.6%).

Other local governments showed impressive representation: Moro recorded 30 applicants (5.8%), Ifelodun 24 (4.7%), Asa 21 (4.1%), Offa 18 (3.5%), while Oyun and Irepodun each attracted 17 participants (3.3%).

Baruten contributed 13 applicants (2.5%), Edu 11 (2.1%), Ekiti 9 (1.8%), while Patigi, Isin, and Kaiama recorded seven participants each (1.4%). Oke-Ero accounted for six applicants (1.2%). This comprehensive spread across all local governments demonstrates PWKY’s grassroots penetration and inclusive approach to youth mobilization.

Out of the 513 applicants, 456 representing 89 per cent are male while 57 representing 11 per cent are female, indicating room for increased female participation in future editions.

Football remains the dominant sport of interest with 370 participants (72%), followed by Ludo with 46 players (9%), Table Tennis 41 (8%), Special Team category 35 (7%), and Scrabble 21 (4%). The Special Team category has been designed to accommodate participants interested in creative, less physically demanding games.

Analysis of participation patterns reveals that 302 applicants representing 59% are joining PWKY for the first time, while 211 participants (41%) are returning contestants who have previously participated in the initiative. This healthy mix of new and returning participants reflects both the initiative’s capacity to retain interest and its expanding reach to new audiences.

Regarding awareness channels, social media proved most effective, accounting for 204 applicants (40%), closely followed by friends and family referrals with 181 participants (35%). Previous PWKY events served as awareness channels for 92 applicants (18%), while community discussions attracted 22 participants (4%) and school/university networks brought in 14 applicants (3%).

Since its inception, PWKY has demonstrated consistent and exponential growth. The initiative recorded 47 participants in its first edition, jumped to 137 in the second edition, surged to 251 in the third edition, climbed to 415 in the fourth edition, and now stands at 513 participants in the current 5th edition—representing a tenfold increase since the inaugural event.

As the initiative moves to the next phase, organizers have outlined clear payment guidelines for participants:

1. Jersey payment is set at N7,500, payable between October 17th and 21st, 2026. 
2. Only participants registered for Table Tennis, Ludo, or Special Team are required to make immediate payments.
3. Football participants should await email notification from PWKY before making payments.

All payments should be made to Account Number 8106710901 (Basheer Luqman Olarewaju, OPAY), with receipts forwarded to WhatsApp number 08106710901 for confirmation.

The organizers expressed optimism about the upcoming event, describing it as a celebration of youth, sportsmanship, and unity that will bring together Kwara’s vibrant young population and friends from neighbouring states.


Shafihi Abdulrasheed Oladimeji
For: Play With Kwara Youths (PWKY)
17th October, 2025