By Onwe Wisdom
Pan Afric Reporters KADUNA, July 7, 2025
In a thrilling display of sportsmanship and unity, Sabon Gari Local Government Area clinched a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Zangon Kataf to win the maiden edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Peace and Unity Cup 2025.
The grand finale, held in Kaduna State, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, affirming the power of football to bridge divides and foster harmony among diverse communities. The event was the culmination of a grassroots tournament initiated by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in areas historically affected by communal tensions.
The tournament, according to a press release e-signed by the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau is described as a strategic non-kinetic intervention by the Armed Forces which brought together teams from various local government areas, using sport as a tool for dialogue, engagement, and social cohesion.
Dignitaries graced the final match, including the Commissioner for Sports and the Kaduna State Governor’s representative, Hon. Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources. In his remarks, Hon. Buba lauded the initiative as a “timely and commendable effort” in uniting communities and building trust across divides.
The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of individual and team awards, celebrating excellence, discipline, and fair play throughout the tournament.
Organizers say the CDS Peace and Unity Cup will become an annual fixture, with future editions set to expand to more local government areas and other states, reinforcing the military’s commitment to national peacebuilding through community-focused, non-violent means.
