Tamale Mayor kicks off 2026 Honda Football Championship in grand style
The Mayor of Tamale, Abubakari Adam Takoro, officially launched the 2026 Honda Football Championship with a ceremonial kick-off, signalling the start of a week-long university football spectacle in the Northern Region.
The colourful opening ceremony, held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on Tuesday, March 24, drew several dignitaries, reflecting the growing stature of the competition within Ghana’s university sports calendar. The Mayor performed the symbolic kick alongside Francis Lew-Dibahi, representing the tournament’s headline sponsors.
The presence of the Tamale Mayor highlighted the championship’s broader significance beyond football, particularly its role in promoting youth engagement, talent development and community pride in the region.
Other key figures in attendance included Idrisu Mohammed, Jonah Yakubu, and Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, President of the Ghana University Sports Association, all signalling strong institutional backing for the tournament.
The championship, which runs from March 24 to 28, brings together eight universities from across the country, competing for supremacy and a grand prize of GH¢25,000. Participating institutions include the University of Professional Studies Accra, Bolgatanga Technical University, Tamale Technical University, University of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Ghana, University of Development Studies, University of Mines and Technology and University of Business and Integrated Development Studies.
Matches will be played at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, with teams expected to battle intensely for bragging rights and national recognition in what organisers describe as a platform to unearth and promote emerging football talent.
The tournament is powered by Honda in partnership with Overseas Union Limited, the sole distributors of Honda Motorcycles in Ghana, and is being organised by RITE Sports Services.
With strong backing from corporate sponsors and sporting authorities, the championship is poised to deliver a week of competitive football while strengthening the link between sports, youth development and community engagement.
