Kurt Okraku: Colts revival was already part of GFA grassroots plans

Suggestions that the launch of the 2026/27 Colts Football season was prompted by President John Dramani Mahama's recent call for the revival of Colts football have been dismissed by events leading up to the programme's rollout.

While the President's remarks have reignited debate about youth football development in Ghana, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku had already outlined plans to relaunch and strengthen Colts football as part of the Association's long-term grassroots development strategy.

Addressing delegates at the GFA Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram on 20 August, Okraku announced that Colts football would become a major focus of the Association's activities during the 2026/27 season, with an official launch scheduled for September.

"This year, Colts football will be at the forefront of a lot of things that we'll be doing. In the month of September, we will be launching the Colts football season," he said.

The GFA president described Colts football as "the heartbeat of our game", stressing that investing in children was essential to building a stronger future for Ghana football.

According to Okraku, there are currently 859 registered Colts clubs across the country's 10 football regions, providing organised competitions for boys at Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 levels, as well as girls' Under-15 and Under-17 competitions.

He also detailed a number of investments aimed at strengthening grassroots football structures nationwide.

Among them is a US$100,000 allocation for footballs to be distributed to Colts clubs for a third consecutive year.

Okraku revealed that the GFA has spent GH¢1.8 million over the last two seasons to train 600 Colts coaches through its CAF Licence D coaching programme.

The Association will also continue to waive player registration fees and provide free digital licences for up to 90 players per Colts club. Additional training programmes are planned for scouts, referees, administrators and other stakeholders involved in youth football.

As part of the expansion of youth competitions, the GFA has introduced the Kivo JLab U17 Inter-Club Champions League for the 2026/27 season.

The Association will also invest GH¢800,000 to support Regional Football Associations in organising Under-15 Girls Colts Leagues across the country.

Okraku said the initiatives, backed by partners including the KGL Foundation, Kivo and JLab, form part of a wider effort to create a sustainable pathway for young footballers.

The launch of the fifth edition of the Colts Football season underlines the GFA's continued commitment to grassroots development, with the focus now shifting to ensuring the programme produces the next generation of Ghanaian football talent.