In a monumental move that promises to reshape the landscape of football, the Ghana Football Association (GFA)

has announced the eagerly awaited return of colts (juvenile) football nationwide, a resurgence that comes alongside a comprehensive strategy aimed at revitalising grassroots football, which stands as the bedrock of sport’s development.

The news elicited widespread excitement, resonating deeply with Ghanaian football enthusiasts, including revered icon Michael Essien, whose ascent to global acclaim traces back to his formative years in colts and inter-school football, lauded the decision as a monumental stride towards reinvigorating the grassroots football ecosystem.

The former Black Stars and Chelsea star, echoing the sentiments of many, hailed the FA’s move, recognising the pivotal role colts football plays in nurturing young talents and fostering a culture of competitive excellence.

“Great news, finally we have our Colts youth football league back. Well done, @ghanafaofficial for bringing back Colts football,” Essien tweeted, in response to the FA’s announcement on its social media page, X (formerly Twitter).

Vibrant colts system

Decades ago, Ghanaian football pulsated with the vibrancy of community colts teams, where future football stars were unearthed and nurtured at community parks and playgrounds and exposed to regular competitions early in their promising careers. These teams were not sophisticated and run often by passionate philanthropists with meagre resources who provided a platform for budding talents to flourish.

However, development challenges in later years, which saw many of these community parks taken over by churches and other commercial interests, and the demise of some of the early founders of notable Colts teams without succession plans, resulted in the slow death of Colts or grassroots football. 

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However, over time, the landscape of grassroots football underwent a gradual transformation, grappling with an array of developmental challenges. Many of these community parks that once served as hallowed grounds for colts football gave way to churches and other commercial interests. And the demise of pioneering founders of colts teams without succession plans dealt a blow to grassroots football. This transition was further compounded by the emergence of European-style football academies, which offered a more structured approach to talent development but often catered to the exceptional and privileged few.

Notable institutions were the Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord Academy, financed by Rotterdam-based Dutch topflight side Feyenoord. Officially opened in 1999, Fetteh Feynoord was the model academy in Ghana and produced many great talents who transitioned to play elite level football in Ghana and the Netherlands.