3rd Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup launched

The 2017 version of the annual Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup has been launched at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra on Thursday June 1, 2017.

The event graced by the presence of many dignitaries from the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, the Special Aide to the Vice President of Ghana as well as Black Stars defender Rashid Sumaila.

The launch also held the live draw for the preliminary round of the gala., with 16 team vying for honours at the Kotobabi Wembly Pitch on Saturday July1, 2017.

The football fiesta, which is named in honour of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, brings together various Zongo communities to compete in a one-day football gala as part of activities marking the end of Ramadan every year to promote unity among the youth in the Zongo communities.

It started in 2015 with eight zongo communities, and participating communities increased to twelve in the second edition.

Ashaiman won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016 respectively to emerge the only winners of the competition so far.

The competition expanded further as for u more Zongo were added to make the number sixteen for this year's edition.

The teams are drawn from Nima, Sabon Zongo, Accra New Town, Fadama, Ashiaman, Kasoa, Alajo, Ashale Botwe, Tudu, Darkuman, Madina, Sukura, Mamobi, Nungua, Koforidua and Nsawam.

Alhaji Sheik Dr. Yanusah Osman Mohammed launched the event with the support of Ahmed Abdulai Abu of the Office of the Vice President and Kwame Baah Nuakoh, a senior executive of Royal Bank who are supporting the tournament with 30,000ghc.

Other sponsors of the Ramadan Cup 2017 are Holiday Inn Hotel, Zoomlion, Ghaana Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Latex Foam, Mawarko Foods, NASCO Electonics, Palace Shopping Mall, Afro Arab Group and media partners.

Newly crowned SWAG Sports Personality of the Year, Tony Baffoe advised the players and officials to be disciplined during the tournament.

Black Stars Assistant Coach Tanko Ibrahim who also graced the launch urged the players to give off their best and show sportsmanship.

Tamimu Issah of the Communications Department of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who is the tournament director thanked the media for supporting the Ramadan Cup.