League football has resumed in Sudan for the first time in over two years with a special tournament hosted in safer regions, offering hope amid ongoing civil war and displacement.

Sudan has witnessed the return of league football after more than two years of suspension. The launch of a special one-month tournament, the Sudanese Elite Championship, marks a symbolic yet significant milestone for the nation’s sporting community, long silenced by the ravages of civil war.

The tournament, which features eight top-tier clubs, is being hosted in the relatively stable cities of Ad-Damer and Atbara, located in the River Nile State—far from the ruins and unrest of Khartoum, the capital city that remains heavily damaged and under the grip of violence.

The Elite Championship is not only a celebratory comeback for Sudanese football but also a decisive one. The competition will determine the teams that will represent Sudan in next season’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, continental tournaments that offer both prestige and much-needed international exposure for the players.

Sudan's domestic league had been suspended indefinitely following the eruption of conflict in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since then, the war has taken a devastating toll on the country, displacing over 12 million people and resulting in the deaths of more than 150,000. Infrastructure, including sports facilities, has been badly affected, and entire communities have been cut off from regular life.

"This tournament represents more than just football; it's a symbol of resilience and unity," said a Sudan Football Association official at the opening ceremony in Atbara. "Despite the pain, we are trying to keep the spirit of the nation alive."

While the matches are being played without fans due to security concerns, the games are being broadcast via local media outlets and social media platforms, allowing Sudanese citizens—both within the country and in diaspora—to reconnect with a beloved national pastime.

Clubs participating in the tournament include traditional powerhouses and emerging sides, many of which have had to train under improvised conditions or relocate temporarily due to the conflict.

The football community, along with fans and observers, views the Elite Championship not only as a step towards sporting normalcy but also as a glimmer of hope for a country desperately in need of healing. For many Sudanese, the return of league football serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the beautiful game endures.