Sports: Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace, Unity Cup To Begin November 16

The Second edition of the Ijaw/Itsekiri peace and unity cup popularly referred to as Comrade Sheriff Mulade peace and unity cup will commence November 16 2019.

According to information released by the Local Organising Committee, the tournament will last for nineteen days and rounded off on 30th November with closing ceremony and award of medals and gifts to finalists.

One major interesting aspect of the 2019 edition is the prizes involved, while the winner will smile home with whooping cash prize of N1m and gold cup, the first and second runners – up will pocket N700. 000 and N500.000 respectively.

The organisers also disclosed that there are other consolation prizes and award for most valuable player, highest goal scorer, fair play award for the best behaved team and best goal keeper among others.

Another unique feature of this year’s edition according to them is that, unlike the first edition, matches will be played in two venues of Ugborodo and Benikrukru communities both in Warri South West Local Government Area.

A total of sixteen teams are expected to slug it out during the exercise, eight teams playing in each of the host centers.

The chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the tournament, Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha had when the committee met recently to access the level of preparedness made, disclosed that this year’s edition of the tournament will focus on discovering talents between the ages of 15 – 20 which he said is the ideal age for grassroot talent discovery.

The Ijaw Itsekiri peace and unity cup was initiated with the aim of encouraging and sustaining the existing peace and unity that has been attained by the two ethnic groups over the past years.

The soccer event usually draw participating team from the two participating tribes living along the coastal lines.

Meanwhile the Delta State sports commission had endorsed the tournament and pledged total support and also commended the sponsor of the tournament Amb. Comr. Mulade for investing in grassroot talent development