By Ndokwa Reporters
WARRI/Nigeria: Young footballers across Delta State have another opportunity to showcase their talents as registration opens for the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup.
The tournament is designed to bring young players from the state’s major ethnic communities together through football, with Ndokwa among the seven ethnic groups expected to participate.
The other participating groups are Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Urhobo and Aniocha/Oshimili.
Organised by the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice in partnership with Africa for Peace Sports Academy, the competition is being promoted as more than a football tournament, with its organisers placing emphasis on peace, cultural integration, youth empowerment and grassroots talent development.
Registration is currently open in three age categories: Under-14, Under-16 and Under-20.
The organisers say participation is restricted to community-based ethnic teams rather than established football clubs, a move intended to give young grassroots players greater opportunities to be identified.
Registered teams are also expected to receive sporting materials, including jerseys, training balls and goal-post nets.
Registration closes on September 30, while the opening ceremony is scheduled for November 15 in Ozoro and the closing ceremony for December 6 in Asaba.
For Ndokwa, the competition offers an opportunity not only to compete for honours but also to showcase young football talent from the area.
The inclusion of Ndokwa in the tournament also provides a platform for young people from the area to interact with their counterparts from other parts of Delta State.
In that sense, the tournament places football in a wider role—as a means of bringing young people together across ethnic boundaries and encouraging friendship and peaceful coexistence.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature teams representing the participating ethnic communities across the selected age categories.
(CEPEJ)
