The Ghana Football Association (GFA) successfully launched the fourth edition of the 2024 KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, speaking on behalf of GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, highlighted the crucial role the KGL Foundation has played in youth development over the past four years.
“KGL Foundation has distinguished itself as the prime supporter of the GFA in youth football through their sponsorship of Colts Football. Their support aligns perfectly with the GFA’s emphasis on the importance of nurturing young talent,” Dr. Abbey said.
The Championship has been instrumental in producing top talents for national teams and domestic clubs. “Three of the last batch of National U17 players who participated in the WAFU Zone B U17 Championships were discovered through these Championships,” Dr. Abbey added, emphasizing the tournament’s significant role in shaping the future of Ghana’s national football teams.
KGL Foundation Programmes Manager, Nii Sarpei, expressed delight at the progress made since the Foundation began investing in youth development.
“We are happy to facilitate the organisation of the 4th KGL Foundation U17 Inter-Regional Colts Football tournament. We have seen the impact of the investment in unearthing talents at the juvenile level,” Sarpei stated.
He also acknowledged the collaboration with the GFA and other partners in promoting juvenile football. “We celebrate the GFA for tirelessly championing the cause for the private sector to invest resources in juvenile football,” Sarpei said, thanking GFA President Kurt Simeon-Okraku and the regional teams for their support.
The KGL U17 Colts Championship was established to promote fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship among young players. It provides a competitive environment to showcase and improve players’ skills, fostering regional unity and camaraderie. The tournament also offers potential scouting opportunities by local and international clubs.
This year’s edition will be held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram from July 25 to August 8, 2024. The Centre has seen significant enhancements and now hosts several of the GFA’s developmental programs.
The Championships will be officiated by young referees from the GFA’s “Catch Them Young” refereeing initiative, which has nurtured hundreds of young referees.
Each participating team will receive fifty footballs, two sets of cones, two sets of bibs, and two sets of match jerseys courtesy of KGL Foundation. This is the fourth edition of the KGL Foundation Sponsored Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship, following previous events in Accra and Kumasi.
The 10 Regional Football Associations will select the best U17 players from their Colts competitions to represent their regions in this year’s edition. The KGL Foundation’s sponsorship, valued at one million US dollars over five years, continues to be a vital support for the GFA’s juvenile league.
