Kwara State has emerged zonal champions for Ilorin Centre in the male and female categories of the just concluded ARS Ilorin Zonal Championship of the Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament.

The Kwara teams also clinched the zonal tickets to the national finals in both categories after defeating their Ekiti State counterparts in separate encounters decided at the practising pitch of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Ilorin.

In the final game, the State female team whitewashed their opponent from Ekiti 4-0. A brace from striker, Eto Deuty, and one goal each from last year's most valuable player in the national championship, Shittu Kafayat and Hassan Sulia was all the team needed to emerge champions of the South west zone.

In the male event, Kwara also ran away with a victory with a 2-0 win over Ekiti with goals coming off the boots of Akeem Salami and Taye Ayinde in the first half.

The four teams displayed good football artistry, but the Kwara teams proved superior with good finishing skills that earned them the desired victories.

Meanwhile, Ondo State won the third place match with a 2-0 defeat of Osun in a keenly contested encounter in the female category, while Oyo won the male category.

Eighteen players have been shortlisted for the National Championship in Lagos later this month. Only 16 players, however, will make the final cut in a list expected to be released within the week.

Ex-Nigerian International, Mutiu Adepoju is serving as the Technical Adviser to the Ilorin zonal team. Over 50 teams from Kwara, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun State participated in the week-long event.

The zonal championship is a significant stage in the ARS circle as it offers equal opportunities to all registered participants to showcase their skills under the watchful eyes of tournament's technical advisers, leading grassroots coaches, YSFON officials and media partners.