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By Isiaq AbdulHamid
The Aminisa Snooker Club League (ASCL) has officially commenced competitive action with the successful staging of its inaugural official match day in Ilorin, marking another milestone for what is regarded as Kwara State’s first professionally organised grassroots snooker league.
The opening fixtures were held on Friday at Mix & Mingle Lounge, Palms Mall, Fate Road, signalling the beginning of organised league competition following the league’s public launch on July 3.
Organised by Aminisa Sports, the sports development arm of Aminisa Dynasty Concept Ltd, the league is designed to transform grassroots cue sports through a professionally managed platform that promotes youth empowerment, talent discovery, entrepreneurship, healthy recreation, community engagement, sports tourism and sustainable economic development.
The initiative is also aimed at positioning Kwara State as a leading destination for grassroots cue sports in Nigeria.
The commencement of the league follows its official inauguration, which received the endorsement of the Kwara State Government. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented at the launch by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, described the initiative as a welcome development capable of engaging young people positively while promoting grassroots sports development.
He also urged the organisers to extend the game to schools and communities while ensuring that snooker remains free from betting. The initiative has also attracted commendation from the National Orientation Agency, the Ilorin Emirate, traditional rulers, sports administrators and other stakeholders.
Speaking before the commencement of the opening fixtures, the Founder and League Commissioner of ASCL, Ameenullah Abolaji Issa, declared the inaugural match day opened and described the league as a movement that extends beyond sporting competition. According to him, the initiative is designed to discover talents, empower young people, promote discipline, strengthen communities and create sustainable opportunities through sport. He reaffirmed the commitment of Aminisa Sports to complement government efforts through strategic public-private partnerships capable of delivering measurable social and economic benefits.
The inaugural competition featured 12 registered players competing in six official fixtures, with the matches officiated by Isiaq Ibrahim Dayo, Agboola Ayodeji Mubarak and Afolabi Babatunde. The event was anchored by MC Justify the Mic Boss, whose live commentary and audience engagement added excitement to the day’s proceedings. The league adopted its unique Best-of-Five Frame format comprising two Highest Pot frames, two Ball-on-Ball frames and, where necessary, a deciding fifth frame determined through a coin toss.
In the opening fixtures, Hammed Wasiu Jibola defeated Jafar 3-2, while Ilyass, Yinka, Abdulfatai and Afolabi each recorded convincing 4-1 victories over Diyaolu, Feyintola Habeeb, Ayinla Yusuf and Alabi Tolulope respectively. Olasunkanmi Adebayo Faruq also secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Bisiriyu O. The matches were characterised by impressive displays of technical ability, resilience, discipline and sportsmanship.
Following the opening round, Ilyass, Yinka, Abdulfatai and Afolabi jointly occupy the top position on the league table with four points each after winning four frames and losing one. Hammed Wasiu Jibola and Olasunkanmi Adebayo Faruq are tied in fifth place with three points apiece, while Jafar and Bisiriyu O. have two points each. Diyaolu, Feyintola Habeeb, Ayinla Yusuf and Alabi Tolulope occupy the remaining positions with one point each. Under the league’s frame-based points system, every frame won contributes directly to a player’s overall standing, ensuring that each frame remains competitive throughout the season.
League Coordinator Muhammad Oladapo Jos said the organisation remains committed to building one of Nigeria’s most professionally organised grassroots sports platforms.
He explained that ASCL would continue to collaborate with government institutions, educational institutions, local government councils, community clubs, sports associations, corporate organisations and development partners to expand organised cue sports across Kwara State.
The league management expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government, the Kwara State Sports Commission, Ilorin Emirate, the National Orientation Agency, sponsors, volunteers, media organisations, Mix & Mingle Lounge, players and members of the public for supporting the successful commencement of the inaugural season.
Registration for future ASCL competitions remains open at a fee of ₦1,000, while the organisers also called for sponsorships and strategic partnerships to support the continued development of grassroots sports in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the 3 among the 6 winners, Muheedeen Abdulfatah, Williams Peter, Adebayo Olasunkanmi Faruq who spoke with news men urged the state government to put more efforts in supporting the snooker game so as to encourage the organizers and other youths who are planning to invest in other sports game in Kwara.
They also commended the efforts and initiative of the organizers for thinking positively and making a different in bringing snooker to the doorsteps of Kwara youths.
They described snooker as a unique and rich sports which is simple and social amongst all sport games.
They advised the organizers to do more by extending the game across the grassroots to liberate more youth.
