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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Nigeria Launches Six-Ethnic Group Football Tournament for Peace in Delta State

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new six-ethnic group football tournament, the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup 2026, has been launched in Delta State, Nigeria, to foster inter-ethnic harmony.
  • Organized by the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) and Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, the tournament expands on a previous initiative aimed at rebuilding trust after the Warri crisis.
  • The event, kicking off November 16, aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 and seeks support from governments and organizations to promote peace, talent discovery, and socio-economic development.

A new football tournament designed to strengthen inter-ethnic harmony and prevent conflict among communities in Nigeria's Delta State has been unveiled. The Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup 2026 aims to foster peaceful coexistence among the state's diverse ethnic groups.

Organized by the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, the biennial tournament is set to kick off on November 16, coinciding with the International Day for Tolerance. This initiative builds upon the former Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, which was established after the Warri crisis to help rebuild trust between those two specific groups.

The expanded tournament now features six participating teams, representing the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, and Urhobo nationalities. Sheriff Mulade, a peace advocate and environmental activist, explained that the tournament's objectives extend beyond sports. It aims to discover and nurture grassroots football talent, encourage youth empowerment, and utilize football as a vehicle for socio-economic development and social inclusion.

The tournament is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the ethnic groups, discovering and nurturing talented footballers at the grassroots, encouraging youth empowerment through sports, and using football as a tool for socio-economic development and social inclusion.

— Sheriff MuladeOutlining the multifaceted goals of the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup.

Organizers highlighted that the competition has evolved into a platform for peace-building, conflict prevention, and community development. Its expansion reflects the growing need to consolidate unity among Delta State's various ethnic nationalities. The initiative is also aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract community leaders, government officials, corporate organizations, and development partners. Organizers are appealing for support from these entities, describing the tournament as a credible platform for talent discovery and reconciliation within Delta State.

the competition had evolved beyond football into a platform for peace-building, conflict prevention and community development. and that its expansion reflected the need to consolidate unity among the state’s diverse ethnic nationalities.

— OrganisersDescribing the tournament's evolution and significance for ethnic unity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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