The 9th edition of the prestigious Sheikh Sharabutu Ramadan Cup was officially launched on Tuesday, April 9th, with the preliminary round draw taking place on the same day.
32 teams from Zongo communities are featuring in this year’s competition, with Teshie, Tuba, Effie Kuapim, and Abuakwa Zongos making their debuts in the games scheduled for Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at the Fadama Astroturf.
Sports Minister Hon. Mustapha Ussif declared the tournament officially launched at a short ceremony held at the media centre at the Accra Sports Stadium, calling on teams to focus on developing young talents.
“One interesting aspect of the Ramadan Cup is the array of young talents on display,” he said.
“I want to appeal to the organisers to have an age limit on participants so that we can nurture young talent because now the Ramadan Cup has become popular.
“I also want to make a special appeal to the participating teams to consider giving more young talents in their team the opportunity to showcase their talents because it is a tournament being watched by scouts, and it is a national platform. You never know who is watching.”
The significance of the 9th edition being launched on the 9th was not lost on the organisers, as the number 9 held special meaning for the tournament, which began in 2015.
Concluding the launch ceremony, Sports Minister Hon. Mustapha Ussif officially declared the tournament open, stating, “I hereby declare the 9th Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu Ramadan Cup duly launched.”
Tuesday’s event was graced by several Zongo community leaders and dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Mr. Ben Adallah Banda, who represented the Vice President. Additionally, representatives from the participating teams, members of the media, and a crowd of enthusiastic supporters also made their presence felt at the launch.
Tamim Issah, the brain behind the tournament, expressed his sentiments about the launch and the growth of the tournament, saying, “The launch had to be delayed because the Chief Imam, after whom the tournament is held, was bereaved.
“This competition is meant to bring us together, just as the Chief Imam is a person who demonstrates the values of peace and unity.”
He further emphasized, “This is a national platform to unearth talents and also give players the opportunity to be spotted. A lot of agents come around, so if you represent your community with older players, it defeats the purpose of the competition. Try as much as possible to bring players, players who have a future.”
Mamobi goes into the tournament as defending Champions after defeating Darkuman to lift the 2023 edition, becoming their second title of the competition.
The Ramadan Cup is supported by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), the Ministry of Sports, NASCO Electronics, the Zongo Development Fund, and Perla Natural Mineral Water.
Below is RAMADAN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND DRAW:
1. Nima vs Effie Kuapim Zongo
2. Oda Zongo vs Alajo
3. Cowlane vs Darkuman
4. Salaga vs Suhum Zongo
5. Tunga vs Abeka
6. Maamobi vs Kasoa
7. Nungua Zongo vs Ashaley Botwe
8. Ashaiman vs Tema Zongo
9. Tudu vs Madina
10. Accra NewTown vs Fadama
11. Koforidua vs Sabon Zongo
12. Teshie Zongo vs Akweteyman
13. Abuakwa Zongo vs Shukura
14. Nsawam Zongo vs Anya Zongo
15. Hohoe vs Tuba
16. Adabraka vs Amasaman
