{"id":112433,"date":"2026-01-23T16:15:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112433"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:15:27","slug":"gfa-launches-fifa-backed-u15-girls-league-to-anchor-womens-football-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112433","title":{"rendered":"GFA launches FIFA-backed U15 Girls league to anchor women\u2019s football future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>3 Minute, 39 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

The Ghana Football Association has launched the maiden edition of the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues, marking what officials describe as a major step in building a sustainable development pathway for women\u2019s football in the country.<\/p>\n

The launch ceremony, held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the GFA headquarters, brought together key stakeholders in the women\u2019s game, including FIFA Consultant Thuba Sibanda, members of the GFA Executive Council, Regional Football Association chairmen, technical experts, administrators and young footballers drawn from across the country.
\nWelcoming participants, GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo stressed that the success of the new competition would depend on collective ownership and sustained collaboration, urging all stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing young female talent nationwide.
\nIn his keynote address, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku described the introduction of the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as a defining moment in Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s football journey and expressed gratitude to FIFA for its continued backing through the Women\u2019s Football Development Programme.
\n\u201cI wish to begin by expressing our profound appreciation to FIFA for its continued support through the Women\u2019s Football Development Programme. This initiative is a testament to what is possible when vision, partnership and purposeful investment come together in service of development,\u201d he said.
\nPresident Simeon-Okraku said the league was the result of deliberate policy choices taken by his administration since assuming office in 2019, noting that women\u2019s football had moved beyond rhetoric to sustained investment.
\n\u201cSince assuming office in 2019, my administration has been unwavering in its commitment to women\u2019s football. We made a clear choice to move beyond rhetoric and invest strategically, structurally and sustainably,\u201d he stated.
\nHe explained that the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues, which will be staged across all ten football regions, provide a nationally coordinated and accessible pathway for girls under the age of 15 to progress into elite football structures.
\n\u201cThis league provides a structured and competitive platform for young girls across all 10 football regions of our country, ensuring early talent identification, consistent development and increased participation. For the first time, young female footballers under the age of 15 now have a clear, accessible and nationally coordinated pathway into elite football,\u201d he said.
\nBeyond the technical benefits, the GFA President emphasised the broader social value of the initiative, describing it as a platform for character development and empowerment.
\n\u201cThis league is about more than producing footballers. It is about shaping character. It is about instilling discipline, teamwork, confidence and excellence. It is about empowering young girls to believe in their potential \u2014 not only as footballers, but as leaders, professionals and role models in society,\u201d he noted.
\nPresident Simeon-Okraku also pointed to the progress made in women\u2019s football in recent years, linking grassroots investment to improved performance at the highest level.
\n\u201cOur investment in women\u2019s football is already yielding results\u2026 That progress has culminated in the resurgence and success of our senior national team, the Black Queens, who have once again risen to reclaim their place among Africa\u2019s elite,\u201d he said.
\nHe, however, cautioned that sustained success at the top must be anchored on strong foundations, describing the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as critical to the future of Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s national teams.
\n\u201cThe U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues represent the foundation upon which the next generation of the Black Maidens, Black Princesses and ultimately the Black Queens will be built. This is where dreams will be nurtured, talent refined and futures shaped,\u201d he stressed.
\nReaffirming the GFA\u2019s long-term commitment, President Simeon-Okraku assured young players and stakeholders of continued support from the Association.
\n\u201cThe Ghana Football Association is committed to walking this journey with you every step of the way\u2026 This launch reaffirms our belief that the future of Ghana football is inclusive, progressive and female,\u201d he declared.
\nThe event was attended by several key figures in Ghana football, including Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association Chairman Dr Charles Osei Anto, who also serves as Chairman of the U15 Girls Management Committee, GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, regional FA chairmen and other stakeholders.
\nThe newly introduced league is expected to strengthen Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s football development pipeline by enhancing early talent identification, promoting grassroots participation and ensuring a smoother transition from youth football to elite and national team levels.<\/p>\n

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\n

\"GFA<\/p>\n

The Ghana Football Association has launched the maiden edition of the FIFA-backed U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues, marking what officials describe as a major step in building a sustainable development pathway for women\u2019s football in the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The launch ceremony, held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the GFA headquarters, brought together key stakeholders in the women\u2019s game, including FIFA Consultant Thuba Sibanda, members of the GFA Executive Council, Regional Football Association chairmen, technical experts, administrators and young footballers drawn from across the country.<\/p>\n

Welcoming participants, GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo stressed that the success of the new competition would depend on collective ownership and sustained collaboration, urging all stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing young female talent nationwide.<\/p>\n

In his keynote address, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku described the introduction of the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as a defining moment in Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s football journey and expressed gratitude to FIFA for its continued backing through the Women\u2019s Football Development Programme.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish to begin by expressing our profound appreciation to FIFA for its continued support through the Women\u2019s Football Development Programme. This initiative is a testament to what is possible when vision, partnership and purposeful investment come together in service of development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

President Simeon-Okraku said the league was the result of deliberate policy choices taken by his administration since assuming office in 2019, noting that women\u2019s football had moved beyond rhetoric to sustained investment.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince assuming office in 2019, my administration has been unwavering in its commitment to women\u2019s football. We made a clear choice to move beyond rhetoric and invest strategically, structurally and sustainably,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

He explained that the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues, which will be staged across all ten football regions, provide a nationally coordinated and accessible pathway for girls under the age of 15 to progress into elite football structures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis league provides a structured and competitive platform for young girls across all 10 football regions of our country, ensuring early talent identification, consistent development and increased participation. For the first time, young female footballers under the age of 15 now have a clear, accessible and nationally coordinated pathway into elite football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Beyond the technical benefits, the GFA President emphasised the broader social value of the initiative, describing it as a platform for character development and empowerment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis league is about more than producing footballers. It is about shaping character. It is about instilling discipline, teamwork, confidence and excellence. It is about empowering young girls to believe in their potential \u2014 not only as footballers, but as leaders, professionals and role models in society,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

President Simeon-Okraku also pointed to the progress made in women\u2019s football in recent years, linking grassroots investment to improved performance at the highest level.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur investment in women\u2019s football is already yielding results\u2026 That progress has culminated in the resurgence and success of our senior national team, the Black Queens, who have once again risen to reclaim their place among Africa\u2019s elite,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He, however, cautioned that sustained success at the top must be anchored on strong foundations, describing the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as critical to the future of Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s national teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues represent the foundation upon which the next generation of the Black Maidens, Black Princesses and ultimately the Black Queens will be built. This is where dreams will be nurtured, talent refined and futures shaped,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

Reaffirming the GFA\u2019s long-term commitment, President Simeon-Okraku assured young players and stakeholders of continued support from the Association.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ghana Football Association is committed to walking this journey with you every step of the way\u2026 This launch reaffirms our belief that the future of Ghana football is inclusive, progressive and female,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

The event was attended by several key figures in Ghana football, including Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association Chairman Dr Charles Osei Anto, who also serves as Chairman of the U15 Girls Management Committee, GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, regional FA chairmen and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n

The newly introduced league is expected to strengthen Ghana\u2019s women\u2019s football development pipeline by enhancing early talent identification, promoting grassroots participation and ensuring a smoother transition from youth football to elite and national team levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,103],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","category-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=112433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112433\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=112433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=112433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=112433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}