Renowned peace advocate and environmental rights activist, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has announced preparations for the 2026 edition of the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup, a multi-million-naira grassroots football initiative designed to strengthen peace, unity and social integration across Delta State.
The tournament, organised by the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, brings together teams representing six major ethnic nationalities in Delta State—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa and Urhobo.
According to Mulade, the competition has grown from the former Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, which emerged in the aftermath of the Warri crisis as a platform for reconciliation and rebuilding trust. Its expansion into a state-wide ethnic tournament reflects a broader vision of using football to bridge differences and deepen peaceful coexistence.
The 2026 edition is scheduled to commence on November 16, 2026, coinciding with the International Day for Tolerance. The biennial tournament will combine competitive grassroots football with a larger message of peace-building, youth empowerment, talent discovery and community development.
Beyond the football pitch, the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup represents an investment in the future of Delta youths. It provides young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their abilities while bringing communities together in an atmosphere of friendship, respect and healthy competition.
The initiative also aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions. Organisers believe football can serve as a powerful instrument for conflict prevention, social inclusion and socio-economic development.
Mulade has therefore called on government agencies, corporate organisations, development partners and well-meaning individuals to support the tournament. With its statewide reach and peace-building mandate, the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup promises to be much more than a football competition—it is a celebration of Delta’s diversity and a powerful call for unity through football.
Football for Peace. Football for Unity. One Delta, One People.
