BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
The Ghana Football Association has secured a major equipment boost for grassroots football after receiving 3,000 footballs from Hoshi International for distribution to Colts clubs across the country ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The donation, from the marketers and distributors of X1 Energy Drink, was presented to the GFA during the launch of the new Colts season at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, as the football governing body seeks to ease some of the logistical challenges confronting clubs at the grassroots level.
The support goes beyond the footballs. Under the partnership, 15,000 jerseys and 15,000 pairs of casual shoes will also be distributed to Colts clubs nationwide, providing young players with basic playing and training materials for the new season.
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, speaking at the launch, also announced a three-year equipment support programme designed to provide sustained assistance to Colts clubs. Under the programme, each club will receive 10 footballs every season as well as two sets of football bibs annually.
The initiative adds to the GFA’s own investment in grassroots football. The association has indicated that it spends about US$100,000 every year on the procurement of footballs for Colts clubs, highlighting the financial commitment required to keep the grassroots system operational.
The 2026/27 Colts season is particularly significant as it marks the sixth consecutive season since the competition was revived and restructured in 2020. The system has traditionally served as an important entry point for young Ghanaian footballers seeking to progress into professional and national-team football.
Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan, himself a product of the Colts system, was among the notable figures at the launch. His presence provided a reminder of the pathway the grassroots structure can create for talented young players.
The launch brought together GFA officials, Regional Football Association representatives, Colts club owners, coaches, former players, partners and other stakeholders, reflecting the broad network involved in sustaining youth football across Ghana.
