GFA, Meiji Holdings Explore Long-Term Sports Nutrition Partnership

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Japanese firm Meiji Holdings have embarked on a path to form a long-term sports nutrition partnership, aimed at enhancing player performance and overall football development in Ghana. On Monday, September 14, 2026, during the 100th anniversary celebrations of Meiji Holdings, the Japanese conglomerate presented a support package to the GFA at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku led the delegation to receive this package, which includes SAVAS sports nutrition supplements, protein shakes, and financial aid for health and nutrition coaching. The officialization of this partnership came through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Simeon-Okraku representing the GFA and Meiji Holdings CEO Katsunari Matsuda representing the Japanese company.

The partnership's scope is wide-ranging, covering sports nutrition, player performance, youth and women's football, health and nutrition education, coaching, and technical development. Meiji Holdings has shown interest in introducing its SAVAS sports nutrition products to the Ghanaian market via football, contingent on mutually agreed commercial arrangements.

GFA Vice-President Mark Addo welcomed the prospect of Meiji experts training GFA officials on the correct usage of its sports nutrition products, anticipating this collaboration would foster mutual benefits. The partnership, facilitated partly by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Ghana, aims to promote knowledge transfer and improve athlete health, preparation, and performance. Talks towards a broader collaboration are expected to continue into 2027.