LOC Unveils Fixtures for IRI-JI MBAISE 2026 Unity Cup
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the IRI-JI MBAISE Cultural Festival 2026 has officially released the fixtures for the much-anticipated Mbaise Unity Cup, a novelty football tournament designed to promote unity, friendship, and cultural integration among the five clans of Mbaise.
Announcing the fixtures, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Engr. Chimaroke Ben Nnaji, described the tournament as a strategic initiative aimed at bringing together the people of Mbaise through sports while promoting the values of peace, healthy competition, and cultural harmony ahead of the grand IRI-JI MBAISE 2026 celebration.
According to the fixtures, the competition will feature teams representing Ahiara, Agbaja, Oke Ovoro, Ekwereazu, and Ezinihitte.
The tournament will kick off on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with Ahiara taking on Agbaja at the Oke Ovoro Secondary School Field by 2:00 pm.
On Thursday, August 6, 2026, Ezinihitte will battle Ekwereazu at the Mbaise Secondary School (MSS) Field by 2:00 pm.
The competition adopts a unique format, with Oke Ovoro earning an automatic place in the semi-finals, where they will face the best-performing loser from the opening two matches. The encounter is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, at the home ground of the best loser.
The second semi-final match will be played on Saturday, August 8, 2026, between the winners of Match Day One and Match Day Two.
The tournament will climax on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the Oke Ovoro Secondary School Field. The third-place match will kick off at 12:00 noon, while the Grand Final is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
Engr. Chimaroke Ben Nnaji called on youths, football enthusiasts, community leaders, and supporters from across the five clans to embrace the tournament and use it as an avenue to strengthen the spirit of unity that has always distinguished the Mbaise Nation.
He noted that the Mbaise Unity Cup is one of the flagship sporting events of the IRI-JI MBAISE 2026 Cultural Festival, which is scheduled to hold on August 15, 2026, at Oke Ovoro Secondary School, Uvuru, and will showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and communal values of the Mbaise people.
The LOC Chairman further assured participants and spectators of a well-organized competition and urged all teams to uphold the principles of sportsmanship and fair play throughout the tournament.
Football for Unity, Peace, and Cultural Renaissance.
One People • One Heritage • One Goal
Signed:
Engr. Chimaroke Ben Nnaji
Chairman, Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
IRI-JI MBAISE 2026 Cultural Festival
