GFA and KGL Foundation Launch 5th Edition of Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship
In a powerful reaffirmation of their commitment to grassroots football development in Ghana, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), in partnership with the KGL Foundation, has officially launched the 5th edition of the KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship.
The launch event, which took place at the KGL House in Labone, Accra, attracted an enthusiastic audience comprising top officials from the GFA, executives of the KGL Foundation, and other key stakeholders in youth football. The ceremony highlighted the ongoing efforts to harness young talent from across the country and provide a platform for the next generation of Ghanaian football stars.
Delivering the keynote address, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed deep appreciation to the KGL Foundation for its steadfast partnership over the years.
“Let me begin by offering the sincerest appreciation of the GFA to our committed and forward-looking partner—the KGL Foundation,” President Okraku stated. “For five consecutive years, the KGL Foundation has stood tall in support of youth football in Ghana. Through your unwavering sponsorship, you have not only fueled this prestigious tournament but also brought countless young dreams to life.”
As part of the support package for the 2025 edition, each of the 10 participating football regions will receive an equipment bundle consisting of fifty footballs, two sets of cones, two sets of bibs, and two sets of match jerseys. This contribution underscores the KGL Foundation’s dedication to equipping young footballers with the tools necessary to thrive.
In line with the GFA’s innovative Catch Them Young refereeing policy, the tournament will once again feature officiating by young, trained referees. This initiative is aimed at developing not only players but also competent match officials for the future of Ghanaian football.
First introduced in 2021, the Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship has grown into one of the most significant platforms for youth football in the country. It serves not only as a competition but also as a unifying force among regions and a critical component of the GFA’s long-term talent development strategy.
The tournament’s prestige has grown with each edition. The Ashanti Region wrote its name in history by clinching the title in 2023. The Western Region will enter the 2025 tournament as defending champions, having defeated the Eastern Region 2-1 in a thrilling final held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram last year.
The upcoming edition, set to commence in July 2025, will maintain its established format. Each of Ghana’s 10 football regions will be represented by a team selected through regional colts competitions, continuing the tradition of showcasing grassroots talent on a national stage.
With enthusiasm building and preparations underway, the GFA and the KGL Foundation are optimistic that this year’s championship will be another landmark event in the journey of youth football development in Ghana.