Ouahigouya:Former international football players Sadou Madi Panandtiguiri and Bakary Kon have announced the launch of the Friendship and Social Cohesion Cup, aimed at supporting young athletes in the Yaadga region. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Ouahigouya.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the competition, also known as the "Solidarity and Social Cohesion Cup," will feature sixteen teams from the four provinces of the Yaadga region. It is intended to promote peace, unity, and patriotism while also offering a platform for establishing a regional team.

Madi Panandtiguiri highlighted that the tournament aligns with a presidential initiative focused on nurturing the next generation of elite athletes. He described the event as a means to bridge communities and provide a platform for youth development and expression.

The event is also intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) in conflict zones. Salifou Sodr, provincial president of the Association for the Economic and Social Development of the North (ADES-Nord), pledged his organization's support for the competition.

Sanata Oudraogo, an advisor to Burkina Faso's president, commended the foresight of the former players and expressed the hope that teams would emphasize fair play, recognizing football as a unifying force for youth. The competition is scheduled to run from October 24 to November 21, 2026, in Ouahigouya.