By Ado Salisu
The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, has described the competition for his trophy as a platform for discovering talented players who can use the opportunity to pursue professional careers and better prospects globally.
The Emir made this remark during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Gombe Emir’s Cup football competition, tagged “King’s Cup,” organised and sponsored by Hon. Ahmad Shuaibu Gara Gombe, Chief Executive Officer of Green White Green, at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Represented by the Wakilin Birnin Gombe, Alhaji Dalhatu Babayo, the Emir said the tournament provides a valuable platform for players to showcase their skills and talents to the world.
He urged participants from across the state to demonstrate sportsmanship and promote unity throughout the competition to ensure its success.
While expressing appreciation to Hon. Ahmad Shuaibu Gara Gombe for sponsoring the tournament for young footballers across the state, the Emir called for more sporting events to keep youths positively engaged and to promote peace and unity in the state.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, represented by NFF Executive Committee member Mr. Timothy Heman Magaji, described the Emir’s Cup as a major tournament and pledged the federation’s support towards its success.
Gusau also reaffirmed the NFF’s commitment to working with football stakeholders to further develop the game across the country.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the competition’s sponsor, Hon. Ahmad Shuaibu Gara Gombe, thanked the state government, the Gombe Emirate Council, and all those who contributed to the successful opening ceremony.
He called for continued support during the preliminary and knockout stages of the competition.
He also pledged to sustain the championship as an annual event as part of his contribution to the development of football and the promotion of peace and unity among the various emirates in the state.
The opening ceremony was attended by eminent personalities, traditional title holders, and football stakeholders from within and outside the state.
In the opening match, Gombe Emirate and Nafada Emirate played out a goalless draw. Preliminary matches are expected to commence soon.
The highlights of the event included the official declaration of the competition open.
