An inter-district Under-17 football tournament being held as part of AshantiFest 2026 is emerging as a key platform for discovering and nurturing young football talent across the Ashanti Region.
The competition, which has reached its semi-final stage, has brought together teams from various districts, with Afigya Kwabre South, Afigya Kwabre North, Kwabre East and Atwima Nwabiagya North securing places in the last four.
The initiative, spearheaded by Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, forms part of broader efforts to engage the youth and promote sports development in the region.
Speaking during a quarter-final match at Offinso-Ahenkro in the Afigya Kwabre North District, Dr Amoakohene said the tournament was designed to identify talented young players and support their development into future professionals who could represent Ghana at higher levels.
He stressed the importance of sustaining the teams beyond the competition, urging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to keep them active rather than disbanding them after the tournament.
According to him, maintaining these teams would create a structured pathway for continuous talent identification and development within the region.
The initiative has received strong backing from local authorities, with several Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives praising its impact on youth engagement and sports development.
The District Chief Executive for Afigya Kwabre South, Pearl Patricia Ankrah, and her counterpart in Afigya Kwabre North, Emmanuel Jackson Agumah, both commended the programme, noting that it was helping to channel the energy of young people into productive activities while uncovering promising football talents.
The tournament continues to draw attention as a significant step toward strengthening grassroots football and supporting the development of the next generation of players in the Ashanti Region.
