Gombe Emir’s Unity Cup 2026 begins with committee inauguration, cash rewards announced

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Royal Organising 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, signalling the official take-off of activities ahead of the much-anticipated tournament.

The committee that is aimed at promoting unity and grassroots football development across the state has its inauguration at the committee’s first official meeting, where members were issued their letters of appointment, followed by a media briefing attended by representatives of major media organisations.

Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman and Sponsor of the competition, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, said the tournament is designed to foster unity, peaceful coexistence and youth empowerment through sports among the emirates and chiefdoms of Gombe State.

He explained that the tournament will adopt a hybrid format, with teams divided into four groups across four centres, pending the Technical Committee’s final recommendations.

The competition boasts juicy financial rewards: the top winner pockets ₦5 million and a trophy, the runner-up takes home ₦3 million, and the third-place finisher bags ₦2 million.

Further incentives include individual awards for Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player, and Fair Play 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 includes Haruna Abdullahi as Secretary, Muhsin Jibo Maigoro handling New Media, Yakubu Maikudi as Public Relations Officer, and Muhammad Musa Baba as Personal Assistant to the Chairman, providing logistics support.