The Royal Organizing Committee (ROC) for the Gombe Emirates and Chiefdoms Unity Football Competition, also known as the Gombe Emir’s Unity Cup 2026, has been inaugurated in Gombe, marking the official commencement of activities for the tournament.
The inauguration took place during the committee’s first official meeting, where members were issued their letters of service. This was followed by a media briefing attended by representatives of major media organisations.
Speaking at the briefing, the sponsor of the competition, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, said the tournament is aimed at promoting unity, peaceful coexistence and youth development through sports across the emirates and chiefdoms of Gombe State.
He explained that the competition will adopt a hybrid format, with participating teams grouped into four groups across four centres, subject to the final recommendations of the Technical Committee.
Gara Gombe announced that the competition will offer substantial financial rewards, with the overall winner set to receive ₦5 million and a trophy, the runner-up ₦3 million, and the third-place team ₦2 million. He added that individual awards will also be presented for Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player and Fair Play Team, alongside trophies.
He further disclosed that a statewide trophy tour and roadshow will commence on Monday, February 2, and run through Friday, February 6, 2026. According to him, the tour will cover all 15 emirates and chiefdoms in the state, beginning with Nafada and Funakaye Emirates, and proceeding through Yamaltu, Deba, Waja, Kaltungo, Tangale, Akko, Pindiga, Cham, Dadiya, Tula, Gona and Dukku.
The Gombe Emir’s Unity Cup 2026 is organised and sponsored by Green White Green (GWG) Sports Center Limited, with the backing and 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 Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, who is also the sponsor of the competition, 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 Alhaji Umar Abubakar, Madakin Gombe and representative of 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; Comrade Abdulaziz Sani Labaran; and Haruna Isah Kalshingi, Director of Organisation and Executive Management Assistant at Green White Green Sports Center.
The Secretariat Support Team is led by Haruna Abdullahi as Secretary, with Muhsin Jibo Maigoro overseeing New Media, Yakubu Maikudi serving as Public Relations Officer, and Muhammad Musa Baba, Personal Assistant to the Chairman, providing logistics support.