Yaw Preko Joins President Mahama and GFA in National Drive to Revive Grassroots Colts Football

Ghana’s youth football landscape is set for a significant transformation as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) formally launches the 2026/27 Colts Football Season, backed by high-level political support and endorsements from national legends. President John Mahama has been a vocal advocate for the revival of the traditional Colts League, viewing it as the bedrock of the nation’s sporting future. This renewed focus aims to restore the structure that once produced the country’s most celebrated football icons, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the various national teams.

The GFA’s revived program has already shown significant scale, with 859 active clubs currently participating across the country. This initiative is not merely about organizing matches but involves a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of youth football from the ground up. The association is prioritizing investments in coaching education, structured competitive formats, and holistic player development. By strengthening the foundation of the sport, the GFA aims to create clear, sustainable pathways that lead from community-level football directly into professional leagues and the national team ranks.

Former Ghana international Yaw Preko has thrown his full support behind the initiative, emphasizing that a functional Colts system is indispensable for effective talent identification. As a successful product of the grassroots system himself, Preko argues that the future of the Black Stars depends on a return to the basics, where young players are taught fundamental skills in a disciplined, competitive environment. He noted that the previous decline of the Colts system contributed to difficulties in national team transitions, making this revival a critical intervention for the sport's long-term health.

As the 2026/27 season approaches, the collaboration between the GFA and the government highlights a unified front in sports development. With President Mahama advocating for the integration of youth football into the broader national agenda, the focus remains on ensuring that the hundreds of active clubs receive the necessary resources and infrastructure to thrive. For football stakeholders, the success of this program represents the most viable strategy to discover and nurture the next generation of Ghanaian stars for the global stage.