The Royal Organizing Committee (ROC) for the Gombe Emirates and Chiefdoms Unity Football Competition, popularly known as the Gombe Emir’s Unity Cup 2026, has been formally inaugurated, marking the official commencement of preparations for the highly anticipated tournament.
The inauguration took place during the committee’s first official meeting, where members received their service letters, followed by a media briefing attended by representatives of major news organisations.
Speaking at the briefing, Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, the sponsor of the competition, said the tournament is designed to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and youth development through football across the emirates and chiefdoms of Gombe State.
Shuaibu-Gara explained that the competition will adopt a hybrid format, with participating teams divided into four groups across four centres, subject to the final recommendations of the Technical Committee.
He revealed that the tournament would feature attractive financial incentives, with the champion taking home ₦5 million and a trophy, the runner-up earning ₦3 million, and the third-place finisher receiving ₦2 million. Additional awards will include Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player, and Fair Play Team, each accompanied by trophies.
A statewide trophy tour will kick off on Monday, February 2, 2026, and run through Friday, February 6, 2026. The Road Show will cover all 15 emirates and chiefdoms, beginning in Nafada and Funakaye Emirates, and proceeding through Yamaltu, Deba, Waja, Kaltungo, Tangale, Akko, Pindiga, Cham, Dadiya, Tula, Gona, and Dukku.
The Gombe Emir’s Cup 2026 is organised and sponsored by Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Ltd, with the support of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe. The competition is expected to strengthen grassroots football development and foster unity among communities across the state.
The committee is chaired by Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, with Auwal Musa Umar, former Chairman of the Gombe State Football Association and former Chairman of Gombe United FC, serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include representatives of the Emir of Gombe, traditional leaders, and football administrators.
The Secretariat Support Team comprises Haruna Abdullahi as Secretary, Muhsin Jibo Maigoro in charge of New Media, Yakubu Maikudi as Public Relations Officer, and Muhammad Musa Baba as Personal Assistant to the Chairman, providing logistics support.
The inauguration signals the official launch of what promises to be a landmark football event, uniting communities and celebrating youth talent across Gombe State.