Rom:Zondoma The first edition of the Maracana Cup for Social Cohesion concluded on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in the village of Rom, located in the municipality of Gourcy. FC Zindingesse emerged victorious against FC Rogo with a 2-1 win in a penalty shootout, amid a festive atmosphere.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the final match was attended by Alassane Sawadogo, the representative of the President of the special delegation of the commune of Gourcy, and His Majesty Naaba Tigre, chief of Rom. The enthusiastic crowd supported the teams as they battled intensely throughout the game, which ended in a penalty shootout where FC Zindingesse secured the win, earning a trophy, 75,000 CFA francs, a set of jerseys, and balls.

The tournament was organized as a symbol of returning to normality after a period of insecurity and population displacement. The event's promoter, Kassoum Ouedraogo, highlighted its purpose in recognizing efforts by the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) and the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) in resettling villages. The competition also aimed to foster solidarity and social cohesion through football, which is widely played by young people.

The representative of the PDS, Alassane Sawadogo, encouraged continuing such initiatives, emphasizing the sport's role in uniting communities. The event also served to honor the security contributions of the FDS and VDP, essential in the residents' gradual return to nearby villages. As a gesture of gratitude, the organizers contributed four 25kg bags of rice and 25,000 CFA francs to the families of VDP members who had fallen in combat.