The maiden edition of the MTN Elite U19 Championship was officially launched on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the headquarters of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in Accra.
The event marked a major milestone in Ghana’s football development agenda, underscoring the Football Association’s commitment to youth empowerment through its flagship initiative, “Power to the Youth.”
The launch ceremony was graced by top football dignitaries, including GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Chairman of the Elite U19 Championship, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, some members of the GFA Executive Council, the 10 Regional Football Association chairmen and key technical figures such as Black Stars Technical Advisor Winfried Schäfer, Assistant Coach Desmond Ofei, Black Satellites Coach Maxwell Konadu and GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah.
In his opening remarks, President Simeon-Okraku expressed his delight at the introduction of the championship, describing it as a timely and transformative initiative for Ghanaian football.
“This competition has come in handy in providing opportunities for young and talented second-division players. When we say ‘Power to the Youth,’ this is exactly what it means, creating enabling and thriving platforms for talent identification and nurturing the next generation of football stars,” said President Okraku.
Chairman of the Elite U19 Championship, Hon. Eric Edem Agbana, lauded the vision of the GFA leadership and praised the Black Stars for their recent qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling it a testament to Ghana’s footballing spirit and resilience.
“Let me begin by extending heartfelt congratulations to our beloved Black Stars for securing qualification to the 2026 World Cup. This achievement reinforces our belief that when systems work and talents are nurtured, Ghana can compete at the highest level of world football,” he noted. Hon. Agbana further commended the GFA President’s leadership in prioritizing youth development, highlighting that the MTN Elite U19 Championship represents a renewed focus on building structured pathways for young players to transition into professional football.
“This initiative is not just about football; it is about discipline, teamwork, and the future of Ghanaian youth. On behalf of the organizing committee, I commend MTN Ghana for its unwavering commitment to sports development. Your continued partnership demonstrates a corporate vision that goes beyond profit, to purpose and national impact.” he added.
Set to run from October 23 to November 2, 2025, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the 11-day championship will feature ten Regional Football Association (RFA) U19 teams. The tournament will showcase some of Ghana’s brightest young talents, offering them a platform to compete, learn, and attract attention from national youth coaches and professional clubs.
Proudly sponsored by MTN Ghana, the Elite U19 Championship aims to unearth, nurture and elevate young footballers from the grassroots level. Beyond identifying raw talent, the competition also seeks to instill values of discipline, teamwork and perseverance among participants.
The launch of the MTN Elite U19 Championship represents another decisive step in the GFA’s long-term vision to develop a sustainable talent pipeline for national teams and clubs, ensuring that Ghana’s proud football legacy continues to shine brightly on both continental and global stages.
GFA Communications
