Delta Ethnic Cup Goes Beyond fostering unity, Peace

In a statement made available to Tidesports in Port Harcourt,  Mulade who is also the National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), called for more partnership to ensure sustainable peace in the area.

The finals of the tournament had seen Team Itsekiri (Ugbomarun FC) knock out Team Ndokwa (Ndokwa East United FC) 3 goals to 1, at Orerokpe town, with the former clinching the championship title with a grand prize of N2 million cash, a trophy, and gold medals for the players.

While the runners-up (Ndokwa East United FC) got N1.5m million cash prize, and silver medals for the players, the third and fourth-place winners (Team Urhobo, Udu United FC and  Team Isoko (Winsome FC) received N1 million cash prize, and bronze medals for the players and N500,000 and consolation prizes, respectively. However, Team Isoko was disqualified and banned from participating in the next edition for breaching guidelines.

Emphasizing the essence of the competition, which he said was “fostering unity and celebrating sporting excellence among ethnic groups in Delta State,” Mulade revealed that “the success of the 2024 tournament has paved the way for the next (6th) edition”.

“Plans are underway to expand participation, introduce new categories, and ensure that the event remains the cornerstone of Delta State’s sports calendar,” he revealed.

Recalling the just concluded tournament,  the environmentalist noted the significance of the special novelty match to flag-off the tournament at Ode-Itsekiri, with Itsekiri/Ijaw team on one side, against other ethnic groups, as part of efforts to drive home the objectives of the competition.

“It is imperative to state that since the ethnic conflict that engulfed Delta State over 20 years ago, particularly Warri and environs, this is the first time the Ijaws and Itsekiris are united by forming a unity team to play against other ethnic groups in the state,” he stated.