WARRI/Nigeria: Preparations for the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup gathered momentum on Tuesday with the inauguration of a 25-member Local Organising Committee (LOC) to coordinate the grassroots football tournament aimed at promoting peace, unity and youth development across Delta State.
The committee was inaugurated in Warri by the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) and Convener of the tournament, Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, who described the competition as a platform for strengthening peaceful coexistence among the state’s diverse ethnic nationalities through sports.
Former Super Eagles player Edema Fuludu was named Adviser to the committee, while former Chairman of the Delta State Football Association (DFA) was appointed Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mulade said the tournament, jointly organised by CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, would bring together young footballers from Delta State’s seven major ethnic nationalities—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa and Urhobo.
He explained that the competition was conceived to use sports as a tool for promoting dialogue, friendship and mutual understanding among young people while encouraging greater interaction across communities.
According to him, the tournament will feature four age categories—Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-20—to encourage wider participation and provide opportunities for talent discovery and development.
Mulade disclosed that participating teams would compete for multi-million-naira prizes, saying the reward structure was designed to encourage healthy competition and stimulate youth participation across the state.
He urged members of the organising committee to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, transparency and commitment to ensure the successful staging of the competition.
The peace advocate also called on traditional rulers, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and community leaders to support the initiative, noting that sustained peace and social cohesion remain essential for attracting investment and accelerating development in Delta State.
The inauguration also featured the unveiling and inspection of football kits to be used by participating teams representing the seven ethnic nationalities.
Organisers said the tournament would be staged under the theme “One in All,” with activities designed to promote cultural integration, youth engagement and peaceful coexistence across Delta State.
