Football for peace: Mulade announces multi-million naira Delta ethnic unity tournament

Michael Olumide

Development and peace advocate, Chief Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has announced plans for the 2026 edition of the Multi-Million Naira Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup, a grassroots football tournament designed to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen inter-ethnic relations, and empower young people across Delta State through sports.

The football tournament, an initiative of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, is aimed at promoting peace, unity, and grassroots football development among the diverse ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

According to the organisers, the competition seeks to harness the unifying power of football to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and lasting friendship among communities, while providing opportunities for talented young footballers to showcase their abilities.

The tournament has its roots in the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, which was established in the aftermath of the Warri crisis as a strategic intervention to ease ethnic tensions and encourage reconciliation between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities. Over the years, the initiative has earned recognition as an effective platform for peace-building through sports.

Building on its success, the organisers expanded the scope of the competition and renamed it the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup to accommodate six of the state’s major ethnic nationalities.

The participating groups now include the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, and Urhobo, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening unity and peaceful coexistence across Delta State.

Speaking on the initiative, Chief Mulade Sheriff said the expansion demonstrates the organisers’ determination to deepen inter-ethnic cooperation and create lasting platforms for reconciliation and development.

He explained that the objectives of the competition include promoting peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups, discovering and nurturing football talents at the grassroots, empowering young people through sports, and using football as a catalyst for socio-economic development and social inclusion.

Chief Mulade further disclosed that the biennial tournament is scheduled to commence every November 16, in commemoration of the International Day for Tolerance, a globally recognised day dedicated to promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.

The organisers noted that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. They stressed that the tournament would continue to serve as a practical platform for conflict prevention, youth engagement, and community development.

Preparations for the 2026 edition are already underway, with teams expected to represent the six participating ethnic nationalities from across Delta State.

The event is also expected to attract football enthusiasts, traditional rulers, community leaders, government officials, corporate organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders committed to peace-building and youth development.

CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy called on corporate bodies, government agencies, donor organisations, and public-spirited individuals to support the initiative through strategic partnerships.

They noted that such collaborations would enhance grassroots sports development, youth empowerment, and community engagement across the state.

The organisations added that partners would benefit from being associated with a credible and impactful peace-building programme that combines grassroots sports with community mobilisation, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

Observers say the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup has grown beyond a football tournament into a respected platform for reconciliation, youth empowerment, talent discovery, and the strengthening of inter-ethnic harmony.

They believe the 2026 edition will further consolidate efforts to build a more peaceful, united, and prosperous Delta State through the universal language of sports.