The Ghana Football Association has officially kicked off the 5th edition of the KGL Foundation Inter-regional U-17 Colts Championship, signaling a renewed investment in the country’s youth football development. This initiative, backed by the KGL Foundation, seeks to identify and cultivate young talents throughout Ghana, offering them a stage to display their skills and potential. At the launch event, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku underscored the championship’s significance, emphasizing KGL’s crucial role in supporting the GFA’s vision to grow the next generation of stars. The KGL Foundation U-17 Colts Championship promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

Launched in 2021, the KGL Foundation U-17 Colts Championship acts as a crucial platform for young Ghanaian talents to demonstrate their abilities. The championship aims to promote talent discovery and encourage unity across Ghana’s regions. By supporting youth development from the district level to the national stage, the championship helps nurture the future stars of Ghanaian football.

“This is a celebration of youthful talent, regional pride and the enduring power of football to unite and to transform…” – Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku

KGL’s support stems from a commitment to revitalizing Ghanaian football, with a particular focus on youth development. This commitment provides young boys with opportunities to achieve their dreams through continuous support towards the development of young talents. Participating teams will receive substantial support to aid their campaigns. Each team will be provided with 60 kits, comprising 30 home and 30 away jerseys. In addition to the kits, teams will also receive footballs, bibs, and cones to facilitate training and match preparations.

The KGL Foundation Inter-regional U-17 Colts Championship has a rich history of unearthing promising football talent. In 2021, MAL FC emerged as the champions of the inaugural edition, held at McDan La Town Park and Madina Astro Turf. The following year, Great Corinthians secured the coveted trophy, adding their name to the championship’s prestigious list of winners. In 2023, the Ashanti Region not only hosted the tournament but also clinched the title, becoming the first region to lift the trophy, marking a significant milestone in the championship’s history. Most recently, in 2024, the Western Region showcased their dominance by defeating the Eastern Region with a score of 2-1 at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.

The selection process for the championship is designed to ensure that the most talented young players from each region get the opportunity to participate. The ten Regional Football Associations are tasked with selecting the best U-17 players from their respective colts competitions. These selected players then represent their regions in the inter-regional championship, fostering a sense of pride and competition.

The launch of the 5th edition of the KGL Foundation Inter-regional U-17 Colts Championship represents a continued dedication to nurturing young football talent in Ghana. With the support of the KGL Foundation, the GFA aims to provide these young athletes with a platform to showcase their abilities, promote unity among regions, and develop into the future stars of Ghanaian football. The championship not only celebrates youthful talent but also reinforces football’s unifying power throughout the nation. The KGL Foundation U-17 Colts Championship is more than just a tournament; it’s an investment in Ghana’s future.