Ramadan Cup (Ghana)

The Ramadan Cup (also known as the Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup) is an annual football competition played between May and June depending on the Ramadan calendar of the year within the Muslim Ramadan season.[1]

History

The Ramadan Cup was started in 2015, with six teams competing in the inaugural competition. Ashaiman emerged as the maiden champions after defeating Nima Zongo by 7–6 in a penalty shootout after the match ended goalless in normal regulation time.

The tournament which is an initiative under the auspices of the Ghana National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu serves as a way of promoting peace and unity within the Zongo (Muslim) communities in Ghana as its tagline reads ‘Bringing the Zongo Community Together’.

The tournament saw the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 2021 final.[2][3][4][5][6]

Format

In 2021, the tournament was played between 24-Zongo communities across Ghana.[1]

2021 Teams
Ashaiman Shukura
Alajo Tunga
Darkuman Tudu
Fadama Kasoa Zongo
Accra Koforidua Zongo
Accra Oda Zongo
Nima Suhum Zongo
Nungua Zongo Tema Zongo
Madina Anyaa Zongo
Maamobi Hohoe Zongo
Nsawam Zongo Cowlane
Sabon Zongo Abeka Zongo

Venues

After the Fadama Astroturf also known as the Sheikh Sharubutu Sports Complex at New Fadama, Accra was completed, the field served as the venue for the 2021 tournament.[1]

Winners & finalists

Edition Year Winners Result Finalists Notes Ref
1. 2015 Ashaiman Zongo 0-0

penalties (7-6)TAB

Nima Zongo [7]
2. 2016 Ashaiman Zongo 3-2 Sabon Zongo [8]
3. 2017 Madina Zongo 1-1

(3:2) penaltiesTAB

Tudu Zongo [9][10]
4. 2018 Maamobi Zongo 2-1 Madina Zongo [11]
5. 2019 Nima Zongo 1-0 New Fadama Zongo [12]
- 2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
6. 2021 Kasoa Zongo 1-0 Hohoe Zongo [13][14]

Sponsorship

The Ramadan Cup was sponsored by Royal Bank from 2015 to 2017, with the bank serving as the tournament's headline sponsor. Since then, the tournament has attracted sponsors including Electroland Ghana Limited (Nasco Electronics),[15] Ashfoam, Adonko Next Level Energy Drink and Holiday Inn Hotel, 5 Star Energy Drink and Afro Arab Group.[12][13][14]

Over the years the tournament has been supported by government agencies including the Ministry of Zongo and Inner Cities Development and National Sports Authority.[7][8][9][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "2021 Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup: 24 Zongo communities to compete for ultimate trophy". GhanaSoccernet. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  2. ^ "VAR experimented at Ramadan Cup 2021". GhanaWeb. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  3. ^ "Ramadan Cup 2021, VAR and Kasoa Messi - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  4. ^ Kpakpo, Jackson Odom (2021-05-25). "VAR Experimented At Ramadan Cup 2021". Wontumi Online. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  5. ^ "VAR mimicked at 2021 Ramadan Cup as debutants Kasoa lift trophy". GhanaSoccernet. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  6. ^ "VAR-awarded penalty helps Kasoa Zongo beat Hohoe Zongo to win Ramadan Cup [VIDEO]". Citi Sports Online. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  7. ^ a b "Ashaiman lifts Chief Imam Cup". GhanaWeb. 2015-07-28. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  8. ^ a b "Ashaiman retains Ramadan Cup". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  9. ^ a b "Madina wins 3rd edition of Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup". GhanaWeb. 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  10. ^ a b "Madina wins 2017 Sheik Sharabutu Ramadan Cup". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  11. ^ "Mamobi wins Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan cup - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2018-06-25. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  12. ^ a b "Nima win Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  13. ^ a b "Kasoa win 2021 Ramadan Cup final amidst novel VAR experimentation - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  14. ^ a b "VAR experimented at 2021 Ramadan Cup final". Footballghana. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  15. ^ "NASCO, Palace Mall support Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup". GhanaSoccernet. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2022-02-25.