Renowned peace advocate and environmental rights activist, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has announced the commencement of preparations for the 2026 edition of the multi-million naira Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup, a football tournament aimed at strengthening peace, unity, and grassroots sports development across Delta State.

According to Chief Mulade, the competition, an initiative of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in collaboration with the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, is designed to foster peaceful coexistence among the state's diverse ethnic nationalities by using football as a platform for dialogue, reconciliation, and social integration.

Speaking on the initiative, the peace ambassador explained that the tournament has evolved from its original concept as the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, which was established in the aftermath of the Warri crisis to reduce ethnic tensions and encourage reconciliation between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people.

He noted that over the years, the competition has earned recognition as an effective peace-building initiative, successfully harnessing the unifying power of sports to promote friendship, mutual understanding, and community cohesion.

In line with its broader vision, the tournament was subsequently renamed the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup to accommodate wider participation from six major ethnic nationalities in the state—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, and Urhobo.

According to the organisers, the expanded scope reflects their commitment to strengthening inter-ethnic relationships and promoting lasting peace throughout Delta State.

Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, stated that the competition aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which advocates peace, justice, and strong institutions, and stated that the tournament would continue to serve as a platform for conflict prevention, youth engagement, social inclusion, and community development.

He explained that the objectives of the tournament include promoting peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups, discovering and nurturing football talents at the grassroots, empowering young people through sports, and leveraging football as a tool for socio-economic development.

The peace advocate further disclosed that the biennial competition is scheduled to kick off on November 16 every two years to commemorate the International Day for Tolerance, a globally recognised day dedicated to promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.

Preparations for the 2026 edition, he said, are already in progress, with participating teams expected to represent the six ethnic nationalities across Delta State.

The tournament is expected to attract football enthusiasts, traditional rulers, community leaders, government officials, corporate organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders committed to peacebuilding and youth development.

Meanwhile, CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy have called on corporate organisations, government agencies, development partners, and public-spirited individuals to support the initiative through sponsorship and strategic partnerships.

The organisations noted that prospective partners would benefit from association with a credible grassroots peace-building initiative that offers extensive community engagement, strong local networks, and innovative approaches to sports development, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.

Observers say the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup has grown beyond a football tournament into a significant platform for promoting reconciliation, strengthening inter-ethnic harmony, discovering emerging football talents, and advancing sustainable peace and development across Delta State.