The 2026 KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship officially got underway on Sunday October 4, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, with KGL Foundation Programmes Manager Nii Sarpei performing the ceremonial kick-off to mark the start of the highly anticipated youth football competition.
Nii Sarpei was joined for the ceremonial moment by Football Association Executive Council member Samuel Aboabire and Committee member Michael Fiaduse as the championship brought together some of the country's brightest young football talents for the opening day of competition.
The opening fixtures produced an exciting start to the tournament, with defending champions Ashanti Region suffering a difficult beginning to their title defence after they were thumped 4-1 by GFA Elite Academy side BIG Boss in their Group A opener.
Ashanti struggled to impose themselves against an energetic BIG Boss outfit, who produced an impressive performance at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence to announce their intentions early in the competition.
Brong Ahafo made a winning start after defeating Upper West Region 2-0, while Volta Region edged Upper East Region 5-3 on penalties after the two sides had played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Western Region produced the biggest victory of the opening day, sweeping aside Eastern Region 4-0 in a commanding display.
Another GFA Elite Academy side, Prempeh College, also began their campaign on a winning note, securing a 2-0 victory over Northern Region.
Greater Accra completed the day's winners after narrowly defeating Central Region 1-0 to round off an action-packed opening schedule.
The championship, sponsored by the KGL Foundation, forms part of the Ghana Football Association's Talent Development Scheme (TDS), an initiative focused on identifying, developing and nurturing emerging football talent across the country.
The competition provides a crucial platform for promising young footballers to showcase their technical qualities, tactical understanding and potential while competing against some of the country's finest youth prospects.
The tournament features standout U17 Colts players selected from Ghana's 10 Regional Football Associations, alongside two GFA Elite Academies representing BIG Boss and Prempeh College.
Source: Ghana FA
