The Dagbang Zaa youth group has successfully organized a Peace Football Gala Match as part of the activities marking this year’s Damba Festival while also aiming to foster peace ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The tournament took place at the Kulikuli School AstroTurf, with the Tamale Mayor, who is also the NPP Candidate for the Tamale Central Constituency, performing the ceremonial kick-off.

In his brief address, Hon. Sule Salifu commended the Dagbang Zaa group for their initiative in organizing the football gala, which he described as a valuable platform for promoting peace and unity among the youth in the community.

He emphasized that football is not only a sport that fosters peace but also encourages good health through physical activity.

Hon. Salifu urged the participating players to remain focused on their football careers, drawing inspiration from renowned Ghanaian footballers like Abedi Pele.

Additionally, he encouraged them to balance their sporting pursuits with education, recognizing the importance of academic achievement alongside athletic talent.

The mayor expressed his commitment to supporting the group’s activities in various capacities, both physically and materially. To kick off the tournament, he donated four quality footballs to the organizers and pledged to contribute to the prizes for the finals.

Alhassan Najeeb, known as Dagbang Zaa Chairman, who serves as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the organizers and teams to the Tamale Mayor for securing the AstroTurf venue and for the donation of footballs.

He noted that the Mayor’s support has significantly alleviated the burdens faced by the organizers.

Dagbang Zaa Chairman, highlighted that the Dagbang Zaa Peace And Damba Gala Match is an annual event, now in its fifth edition, designed not only to celebrate the Damba Festival but also to promote peace among youth, especially in light of the forthcoming elections.

He appealed to individuals, corporate organizations, and NGOs to support these annual inter-area games, emphasizing their role in uncovering local talent and fostering peace within the community.

Players from various area teams also spoke to the media about the importance of such tournaments and reiterated the need for continued support to ensure the success of future events.