The Football Association’s Talent Identification and Development Programme have successfully concluded in the Ashanti Region, with vibrant engagements held in Kumasi and Obuasi.
The initiative was about discovery. It sought to uncover raw talent hidden in classrooms and dusty pitches, while also empowering the very coaches who guide these young players. Community coaches and P.E. instructors, many without formal certification, were given the chance to sharpen their skills through specialized training. A football festival gave JHS 2 and 3 students the stage to showcase their talent and to be selected for the GFA Academies in Achimota, Prempeh and Bolgatanga Senior High School.
In Obuasi, the programme brought together 192 male students and 36 female students from 16 schools, predominantly from JHS 2 and 3. Kumasi hosted an even larger group, with 312 students participating. Beyond the players, the programme also empowered 80 P.E. coaches in Kumasi and 57 in Obuasi with valuable knowledge and training.
Guiding the vision was Papa Nii Latery, Head of Talent Identification and Development, supported by Edward Gyamfi-Acheampong, Head of Performance Analysis. Together with coach educators Charles Anokye, Joyce Boatey and Sandra Osei Nyarko, they built an atmosphere of learning, encouragement, and possibility, with their expertise enriching every session.
In essence, the programme not only focused on spotting promising young footballers but also invested in building the next generation of coaches and mentors, ensuring a sustainable pathway for football.Â
