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 in Gombe, marking the official commencement of activities ahead of the tournament.
The inauguration was held during the committee’s Inaugural meetings, where members received their service letters.
The inaugural event was followed by a media briefing with representatives of major media organisations in attendance.
Speaking at the briefing, the sponsor, Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, stated that the competition is designed to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and youth development through sports across the emirates and chiefdoms of Gombe State.
He explained that the tournament will adopt a hybrid format, with participating teams split into four groups across four centres, subject to the final recommendations of the Technical Committee.
According to him, the competition has mouthwatering financial rewards as the champions will cart home ₦5 million and trophy, runners-up ₦3 million and the third-place finishers will receive ₦2 million.
Other incentives include individual awards for Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player and Fairplay Team, alongside trophies.
Gara Gombe also announced that a statewide trophy tour will commence on Monday, February 2, 2026, through Friday, February 6, 2026.
According to him, the Road Show will cover all 15 emirates and chiefdoms in the state, starting from Nafada and Funakaye Emirates, and continuing through Yamaltu, Deba, Waja, Kaltungo, Tangale, Akko, Pindiga, Cham, Dadiya, Tula, Gona, and Dukku.
The Gombe Emir’s Cup 2026 is organized and sponsored by Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Ltd, with the enforcement and support of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe.
The competition is expected to further strengthen grassroots football development and promote unity among communities across Gombe State.
The Emir’s Cup committee is chaired by Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, Chairman and Sponsor of the competition.
He is supported by Auwal Musa Umar, former Chairman of the Gombe State Football Association and former Chairman of Gombe United FC, who serves as Vice Chairman.
Other members of the committee are, Alhaji Umar Abubakar, the Madakin Gombe and representative of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Abdulkadir Adamu (Kawu), Malam Dahiru Mohammed Umar (Danlawan Kaltungo), Muhammad Magaji Ibrahim (Santurakin Babba of Pindiga) and District Head of Kolmani, Mallam Mai Umar (Yarin Gombe), Bilya Yaro Dawakin-Tofa (Sarkin Samarin Gona), Malam Hashimu Ibrahim, and Comr. Abdulaziz Sani Labaran, Haruna Isah Kalshingi, Director of Organization and Executive Management Assistant at Green White Green Sports Center.
The secretariat support team comprises Haruna Abdullahi as secretary, Muhsin Jibo Maigoro in charge of new media, Yakubu Maikudi, Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Musa Baba, Personal Assistant to the Chairman who provides logistics support.
