KGL FOUNDATION COMMITS $200,000 TO STRENGTHEN JUVENILE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Recognising the importance of nurturing and empowering young talent to realise their potential, the KGL Foundation has committed US$200,000 to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over the next two years to strengthen the continued development of juvenile football in Ghana.

The commitment was announced at the launch of the 2026 KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship, held at the KGL House in Labone, Accra, and attended by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, members of the GFA Executive Council and senior representatives of the KGL Foundation.

First launched in 2021, the KGL U-17 Inter-Regional Colts Championship has become an important platform for discovering and developing young football talent across Ghana. Now in its sixth edition, the championship brings together some of the country’s most promising U-17 players selected from regional Colts competitions, providing them with an opportunity to compete, develop and gain visibility as they pursue their football ambitions.

Speaking at the launch, Director of the KGL Foundation, Mr. Christian Salamouni, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to youth development through sports, while GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku praised the Foundation’s continued partnership with the Association.

“We are here to reaffirm the marriage between the Ghana Football Association and the KGL Foundation,” he said, highlighting the impact of the partnership in producing talents who have gone on to represent local clubs and Ghana’s youth national teams.

The Foundation’s support extends beyond the financial commitment. For the 2026 championship, KGL Foundation has provided 300 size-five footballs, 50 sets of training markers, 640 jerseys, 640 pairs of football socks and 96 medals, alongside trophies and individual awards for outstanding players, including the Golden Glove, Goal King and Most Valuable Player. Each participating team will also receive 60 kits, as well as footballs, bibs and cones to support their participation and training throughout the competition.

Importantly, the Foundation will also provide educational scholarships to some of the outstanding players emerging from this year’s championship, reflecting its belief that developing talent development must extend beyond the football pitch. Through the combination of sporting opportunity and educational support, the Foundation seeks to help young talents build not only successful sporting careers, but also strong educational pathway towards lifelong opportunities.

The 2026 edition of the championship is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, 4 October 2026, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram. Last year, Ashanti Region claimed the title for the second time after defeating Western Region 2–1 in the final.

For the KGL Foundation, the championship represents more than a football tournament. It is an investment in young people, an opportunity to uncover potential and a commitment to ensuring that talent—wherever it is found in Ghana—is given the platform and support it deserves.