The second batch of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Free License D coaching course for colts coaches in the Upper East Region has successfully ended. The one-week training program, which began on June 9, concluded on Sunday, June 16, 2025, at the Kurt Okraku Technical Centre in Winkogo, near Bolgatanga.

The Upper East Region became the first to kick off the 2025 edition of the free coaching initiative, which forms part of the GFA’s three-year policy to train 900 colts coaches nationwide. The initiative, launched in 2024, is designed to enhance grassroots football by equipping youth coaches with professional coaching knowledge and skills.

In the first year of implementation, 300 coaches were trained across various regions. Another 300 will benefit in 2025, with the final batch of 300 set for 2026. The course covers essential topics including player development, coaching principles, health and safety, and football ethics, with a focus on preparing coaches to effectively nurture young talent.

Officials described the just-ended course in Winkogo as highly successful, with active participation and strong enthusiasm from the coaches. The initiative is aimed at bridging the technical gap at the colts level and ensuring that young footballers across the country receive proper guidance.

“The response from the coaches has been encouraging. We’re confident that with initiatives like this, the future of Ghanaian football will be bright,” said Coach Abukari Damba, a technical instructor at the closing ceremony. “This course is not just about coaching licenses, it’s about building a better foundation for football in Ghana.”

The GFA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring equal access to quality coaching education across all regions, as part of its broader goal to transform Ghanaian football from the grassroots up.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS