The Ghana Football Association (GFA) in partnership with the KGL Foundation has launched the sixth edition of the U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship. The tournament, being held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, brings together 12 teams from Ghana's 10 regions and two GFA Elite Academies. The championship, which started on October 5, 2026, is expected to run through to October 11. This initiative aims to identify and develop emerging football talent across the country.
A total of 640 jerseys, 300 size 5 footballs, 640 pairs of football socks, and 50 sets of training markers were presented to the GFA for the championship by the KGL Foundation. The Foundation also presented 96 medals and various trophies for the overall winner, first and second runners-up, as well as awards for the best goalkeeper, top scorer, and the tournament's best player. These items were handed over by the Director of the KGL Foundation, Mr Christian Salamouni.
The KGL Foundation has announced a $200,000 commitment over the next two years to support juvenile football development through its partnership with the GFA. This investment is part of the Foundation's efforts to promote youth development through sports. The partnership has already produced players who have gone on to represent Ghana at the youth national team levels and domestic clubs, according to the President of the GFA, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups of six. In Group A, Greater Accra will face competition from Northern, Central, Volta, Upper East Regions, and Prempeh College-based Elite Academy. Defending champions Ashanti Region headline Group B alongside Western, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Upper West, and the Bolgatanga-based Elite Academy. The tournament will feature the best U-17 talents from across Ghana.
This year's championship will also have an educational component, with the Foundation set to provide scholarships to some of the standout players from the tournament. This move aims to support the holistic development of the young players. The GFA and KGL Foundation's collaboration has been instrumental in promoting grassroots football in Ghana.
The President of the GFA, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, expressed his gratitude to the KGL Foundation for its continued investment in grassroots football. He noted that the partnership has been beneficial in producing talented players who have represented Ghana at various levels. The GFA is committed to nurturing young talent and promoting football development in the country.
The sixth edition of the U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship is expected to be a platform for young players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot in the national teams. The tournament's success is a testament to the GFA and KGL Foundation's efforts to promote football development in Ghana. The championship will conclude on October 11, 2026.
Key points
- The KGL Foundation has committed $200,000 over two years to support juvenile football development in Ghana.
- The sixth edition of the U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship features 12 teams from Ghana's 10 regions and two GFA Elite Academies.
- The tournament includes an educational component, with scholarships to be awarded to standout players.
