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.

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.

Format In 2021, the tournament was played between 24-Zongo communities across Ghana. +2021 TeamsAshaimanShukuraAlajoTungaDarkumanTuduFadamaKasoa ZongoAccraKoforidua ZongoAccra Oda ZongoNimaSuhum ZongoNungua ZongoTema ZongoMadinaAnyaa ZongoMaamobiHohoe ZongoNsawam ZongoCowlaneSabon ZongoAbeka 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.

Winners & finalists +EditionYearWinnersResultFinalistsNotesRef1.2015Ashaiman Zongo0-0 penalties (7-6)TABNima Zongo2.2016Ashaiman Zongo3-2Sabon Zongo3.2017Madina Zongo1-1 (3:2) penaltiesTABTudu Zongo4.2018Maamobi Zongo2-1 Madina Zongo5.2019Nima Zongo1-0New Fadama Zongo -2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic6.2021Kasoa Zongo1-0Hohoe Zongo

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), Ashfoam, Adonko Next Level Energy Drink and Holiday Inn Hotel, 5 Star Energy Drink and Afro Arab Group.

Over the years the tournament has been supported by government agencies including the Ministry of Zongo and Inner Cities Development and National Sports Authority.

References