Preparations are gathering momentum for the draws ceremony of the 4th edition of the Ofugara Peace and Unity Football Tournament, with organisers assuring participating clubs, supporters and football stakeholders of another exciting and professionally organised competition.
The draws ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 12 noon, and will be held at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta, along the NPA Expressway, Ekpan.
The event is expected to bring together representatives of participating clubs, members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), football administrators, former footballers, community leaders, sponsors, sports writers and other stakeholders ahead of the tournament.
Speaking with journalists ahead of the draws, Chairman of the LOC, Edema Fuludu, said preparations for this year’s competition were in top gear, assuring that the committee was working tirelessly to deliver a tournament that would match the high standards associated with the Ofugara All Stars Competition.
Fuludu said the draws would be conducted in a transparent and organised manner to set the stage for the commencement of the competition, adding that the ceremony was strictly by invitation and limited to representatives of clubs participating in the fourth edition.
He explained that the decision to restrict attendance was aimed at ensuring effective coordination and maintaining the focus of the event, particularly as participating clubs prepare for the tournament proper.
The fourth edition has continued to attract considerable interest, following the expansion of the competition to accommodate 32 clubs, reflecting the growing popularity and acceptance of the Ofugara Peace and Unity Cup.
The tournament is designed not only to promote competitive grassroots football but also to strengthen friendship, unity, peace and community bonding through the game.
A major highlight of this year’s edition is the involvement of former Nigerian internationals Azubuike Egwuekwe and Christian Obodo, who have been unveiled as brand ambassadors for the tournament. Their involvement is expected to further raise the profile of the competition and inspire young footballers participating in the tournament.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for October 1, 2026, while the grand finale is billed for November 15, 2026.
The organisers have also continued to emphasise discipline, fair play, sportsmanship and proper organisation as key pillars of the competition, with clubs expected to comply with the tournament’s registration and administrative requirements.
Fuludu further called on all participating clubs to remain committed to the tournament’s objectives, stressing that the Ofugara Peace and Unity Cup has evolved beyond a football competition into an important platform for fostering unity and discovering grassroots football talent.
With the draws now set for September 19, attention has shifted to the composition of the groups and the possible match-ups that will headline the fourth edition.
Football enthusiasts across Delta State and beyond are expected to follow the proceedings closely as the organisers unveil the road map to what promises to be another memorable edition of the Ofugara Peace and Unity Football Tournament.