The 2026 edition of the Ofugara Peace and Unity Football Tournament has expanded significantly, with 32 veteran All-Stars football clubs drawn from the three senatorial districts of Delta State participating in the competition.

The fourth edition of the tournament, which kicked off on Thursday at the Okotogbo Primary School Football Pitch in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, is bringing together former professional and grassroots footballers in a competition aimed at promoting peace, unity, friendship and community development through sports.

This year’s edition has raised the stakes with a ₦10 million grand prize for the eventual winners, as the 32 participating All-Stars sides battle for the coveted trophy and prize money.

The tournament is expected to produce a series of exciting encounters as former football stars from Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South rekindle old rivalries while using the platform to strengthen relationships and promote the values of peaceful coexistence and community service.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, a member of the Ofugara Give Back Initiative Board, Mrs Antoinette Ofugara Obiuwevbi, said the tournament was much more than a football competition, describing it as a platform for bringing people together and providing former footballers with an opportunity to remain active and contribute meaningfully to society.

She urged the participating players to give their best throughout the competition while maintaining the highest standards of sportsmanship, stressing that the success and sustainability of the tournament depended largely on the collective support and commitment of participants and stakeholders.

According to her, the initiative was conceived to use football as a vehicle for strengthening bonds among communities and former footballers while encouraging them to give back to humanity.

Obiuwevbi also expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the Ofugara Foundation, Mr Silva Ofugara, for his commitment to humanitarian causes and his continuous efforts to make positive contributions to society.

She equally commended the Delta State Government for creating an enabling environment for sports to thrive and develop, noting that sustained support for sports remained crucial to talent discovery, development and the growth of the sporting sector.

The expanded tournament has attracted several former football stars, with the veteran players expected to showcase their experience, ball control, tactical awareness and competitive spirit as the competition progresses.

Meanwhile, defending champions Delta All-Stars International began their title defence on a winning note after edging Ex-Invisible Leopard All-Stars 1-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

The keenly contested encounter remained tight before Delta All-Stars International eventually found the breakthrough in the second half.

Having taken the lead, the defending champions displayed tactical discipline and experience, soaking up pressure and protecting their narrow advantage until the final whistle.

Ex-Invisible Leopard All-Stars mounted a spirited response in search of an equaliser but were unable to break down the defending champions’ defence.