Chairman of the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup Local Organising Committee, Ken Nwaomucha, has warned that this year’s tournament will be strictly for grassroots players, not registered club sides.
Nwaomucha gave the warning while speaking with journalists during the inauguration of the local organising committee, LOC at the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice office in Delta state, Ugolo.
The former Delta State FA chairman said some ethnic teams fielded organized club in the last edition, and that will not be allowed in 2026.
“There will be no room for any football club in this 2026 edition because the aim is to discover raw grassroots talent,” he said.
“Every ethnic group must cooperate to make this year’s edition seamless by obeying LOC rules and protecting tournament property.”
The opening ceremony will hold on November 15 at the Main Bowl of Southern Delta University, formerly Ozoro Polytechnic, in Isoko.
The closing ceremony is scheduled for December 6 at Kwale Township Stadium.
This expanded edition will feature seven ethnic groups: Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Isoko, Itsekiri, Izon, Ndokwa and Urhobo.
Each group is expected to present four teams across the Under 12, U14, U16 and U20 categories.
The former professional footballer thanked the sponsor Ambassador Sheriff Mulade, members of the Loc and promised a well organised tournament.
