New FIFA U-15 girls colts league game-changer for women’s football development

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), under FIFA’s Women’s Football Development Programme, has introduced the maiden edition of the FIFA under-15 (U-15) Girls Regional Colts Leagues, marking a major milestone in the country’s women’s football development pathway.

The programme has been touted as a game-changer for Ghana’s long-term strategy to strengthen women’s football from the grassroots to the elite level.

This will enhance early talent identification, consistent player development and increased grassroots participation.

President of the FA, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, described the initiative as a defining moment in the evolution of women’s football in Ghana, stressing that the initiative represents far more than a routine addition to the football calendar.

“This initiative is a testament to what is possible when vision, partnership and purposeful investment come together in service of development. It is a defining moment in our deliberate, long-term strategy to transform women’s football in Ghana from the grassroots to the highest level.

“The U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues represent the foundation upon which the next generation of the Black Maidens, Black Princesses and, ultimately, the Black Queens will be built. This is where dreams will be nurtured, talent refined and futures shaped,” he said.

He expressed profound appreciation to FIFA for sustained support for football development at the grassroots level, noting that this intervention is a vital progress in the women’s game

Reflecting on his administration’s journey since assuming office in 2019, President Simeon-Okraku reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to women’s football, highlighting deliberate and sustained investments across all levels of the game.

“We made a clear choice to move beyond rhetoric and invest strategically, structurally and sustainably. From grassroots initiatives to elite competitions, from capacity building for coaches and administrators to improved league organisation, we have worked tirelessly to build a solid foundation that will stand the test of time,” he stated.

He further indicated that the U15 Girls leagues are a natural progression of a vision to provide a structured and competitive platform for young female footballers across all 10 football regions of the country.

“For the first time, young female footballers under the age of 15 now have a clear, accessible and nationally coordinated pathway into elite football,” he elaborated.

Beyond footballing outcomes, the GFA President emphasised the league’s broader social impact, describing it as a vehicle for character formation and empowerment.

“This league is about more than producing footballers. It is about shaping character, empowering young girls to believe in their potential — not only as footballers, but as leaders, professionals and role models in society,” he stressed.

He also pointed to tangible gains in women’s football in recent years, culminating in the resurgence of the Black Queens into a continental superpower.

“Our investment in women’s football is already yielding results… That progress has culminated in the resurgence and success of the Black Queens, who have once again risen to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite,” he noted.

However, Simeon-Okraku cautioned that sustained success at the highest level is impossible without a strong grassroots foundation, describing the U15 Girls Regional Colts Leagues as a critical building block for the future.

General Secretary of GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, underscored the importance of collective ownership and collaboration in ensuring the long-term success of the initiative, urging all stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing young female talent across the country.

FA’s message to young female footballers

In a message to the young players, the FA president urged commitment, discipline and belief, while reaffirming the GFA’s resolve to support them throughout their journey.

“The Ghana Football Association is committed to walking this journey with you every step of the way,” he assured.

The colourful ceremony brought together key stakeholders in the women’s game, including FIFA Consultant Thuba Sibanda, members of the GFA Executive Council, Regional Football Association Chairmen, technical experts, footballers and administrators.

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