The Board of the Ofugara Give Back Initiative has announced major reforms, new appointments and an expanded format ahead of the fourth edition of the Ofugara All-Stars Football Tournament, with the competition set to feature 32 teams drawn from across Delta State.
The latest decisions are expected to further strengthen the tournament’s organisation, broaden its reach and consolidate its reputation as a platform for football, friendship, unity and peaceful coexistence among former players and communities across the state.
One of the major highlights of the 2026 edition is the unveiling of former Super Eagles internationals Azubuike Egwuekwe and Christian Obodo as the official brand ambassadors of the tournament.
The duo, who made significant contributions to Nigerian football during their playing careers, are expected to bring their experience, influence and football pedigree to the promotion of the competition and help raise its profile beyond the immediate communities where it is played.
In another significant development, the tournament board has reconstituted the Local Organising Committee (LOC), with former Super Eagles midfielder and seasoned football administrator Edema Fuludu appointed as Chairman.
Fuludu, who has extensive experience both as a former professional footballer and administrator, will be assisted by Henry Dittimiya, who has been appointed Deputy Chairman.
Other experienced football and sports personalities have also been assigned various responsibilities within the LOC and its specialised committees as part of measures to ensure effective planning, coordination and delivery of the expanded tournament.
The board has also approved a major expansion of the fourth edition, increasing the number of participating teams to 32.
The tournament will now accommodate EX- footballers aged 44 years and above from across the three senatorial districts of Delta State, providing a wider platform for former players to return to competitive action, renew old rivalries and rekindle the camaraderie that characterised their playing days.
The inclusion of teams from the Delta North Senatorial District represents a significant milestone in the development of the competition, further broadening its geographical reach and strengthening its capacity to bring former players and communities from different parts of the state together through football.
Registration for the fourth edition will commence on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and close on Friday, August 21, 2026, while the preliminary stage is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, August 29, 2026.Each participating team will be permitted to register a maximum of 25 players and five officials.
The approved identification requirements for players include verified photographs and National Identification Numbers (NIN), with teams expected to complete all documentation before the commencement of the competition.
With the tournament expanding to 32 teams, the organisers have also made provisions for additional playing facilities.
The designated primary venues will be complemented by the NNPC and Nana College grounds, while contingency dates have been incorporated into the competition calendar to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and minimise disruptions to the tournament programme.
Beyond the competition and its sporting attractions, the Ofugara All-Stars Football Tournament has continued to demonstrate the unifying power of football in bringing people together.
Over the years, the tournament has created a platform where former footballers and communities from different ethnic backgrounds can meet, compete, interact and celebrate their shared passion for the beautiful game.
With Delta State made up of diverse ethnic groups and communities, the tournament has increasingly become more than just a football competition. It has provided an avenue for friendship, mutual understanding and stronger social bonds among participants, supporters and communities.
The inclusion of the Delta North Senatorial District in the fourth edition is therefore expected to further deepen this objective, bringing more communities into the tournament’s growing network of friendship and sportsmanship.
The board believes that such increased participation will enable the competition to contribute even more significantly to the promotion of peaceful coexistence, unity and social harmony across Delta State, using football as a common language capable of bridging ethnic, geographical and social divides.
As the 2026 edition approaches, expectations are high that the expanded 32-team tournament will combine quality football, healthy rivalry and entertainment with the enduring message of peace, unity and togetherness through sport.