The Kano State Government has inaugurated various committees to coordinate preparations for the forthcoming Renewed Hope Cup football tournament, which is expected to bring together 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Basiru Usman, the ministry’s spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday disclosed that the tournament, scheduled to commence towards the end of November 2026, will run for 10 days and is aimed at promoting peace, unity, friendship and sports development through football.
According to the statement, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, inaugurated the committees and officially flagged off preparations for the competition.
Comrade Waiya said the state government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, had approved and agreed to sponsor the tournament as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen relationships among participating states.
He disclosed that attractive cash prizes had been earmarked for the outstanding teams, with the winner expected to receive N10 million, the runner-up N5 million and the third-place team N3 million. Trophies and other awards would also be presented.
The Commissioner further revealed that international football scouts would be invited to monitor the competition and identify promising players for possible opportunities to develop their careers abroad.
He said the tournament would provide young football talents with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and attract international attention.
Comrade Waiya added that the competition was not merely about football but also intended to foster friendship, unity, peace and mutual understanding among the participating states.
To ensure effective coordination, about 10 committees were inaugurated, including those responsible for security, publicity, marketing and protocol, among others.
He also appreciated members of the media for their continued support and cooperation with the ministry, describing their contributions as important to promoting government activities and sports development in the state.
Earlier, the leader of the Renewed Hope Cup delegation, S. A. Sani Musa Danja, said the visit to the ministry was aimed at presenting the tournament initiative and inaugurating committees responsible for its implementation.
He explained that the competition, initiated with the support and approval of Governor Yusuf, would bring 19 states and the FCT to Kano to compete for the championship.
Danja reiterated that international scouts would be invited to assess players’ performances and identify talented individuals who could receive opportunities to pursue professional football careers internationally.
He added that the tournament would also serve as a platform for strengthening relationships among states and promoting peaceful coexistence through sports.
The inauguration of the committees marks the commencement of preparations for the 10-day competition.
