CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has met with the five-member committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the novel 2nd Division Elite U19 Championship, an initiative under the GFA’s Power to the Youth policy.
During the meeting held at the GFA Headquarters, President Simeon-Okraku commended the committee members and their support staff for their willingness to serve Ghana football at this crucial level. He expressed appreciation for their commitment to a programme that is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of football talent in the country.
The President reiterated that the championship is a fulfilment of a pledge he made during the last GFA Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram. The initiative is designed to unearth, nurture, and elevate talented players from the grassroots level, reinforcing the Association’s long-term vision for structured and inclusive football development.
Abdul Salam Yakubu, Chairman of the Committee and President of New Edubiase United Football Club, welcomed the responsibility with great enthusiasm. He acknowledged the trust placed in the committee and pledged to lead an effective talent identification programme that will set a new standard in youth football development.
The Abdul Salam-led committee will oversee the organisation and execution of the 2nd Division Elite U19 Championship, which specifically targets players born between January 1 and December 31, 2007. The committee has been granted the mandate to review and, where necessary, amend the eligibility criteria for the Championship.
The competition aims to provide a dedicated platform for Second Division players to showcase their talent and gain visibility for potential elevation into elite youth academies, national youth teams and professional ranks.
This strategic initiative further strengthens the GFA’s commitment to building a sustainable football ecosystem grounded in early talent identification, technical development, and equitable opportunity. It aligns seamlessly with ongoing programmes under the Power to the Youth policy, including the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), Elite Academies, and the Catch Them Young Refereeing Project.
Through this new championship, the GFA continues to create meaningful pathways for young Ghanaian footballers, ensuring that the nation’s future stars are discovered, developed, and positioned for long-term success.
The meeting was presided over by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and attended by Committee Chairman Abdul Salam Yakubu, Vice Chairman Enoch Agyare Addo, and members Edem Kofi Ansah, Michael Kwabla Fiaduse and Samuel Owusu Amoah.
Providing technical and administrative support to the committee are Daasebre Adu-Asare, Regional Football Associations Coordinator, Maxwell Caesar Kemeh from the Competitions Department and Patrick Akoto, Senior Communications Manager at the Ghana Football Association.
GFA Communications