{
  "id": 18334606,
  "title": "GFA, Kivo launch U-17 Regional Champions Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/gfa-kivo-launch-u-17-regional-champions-cup",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T16:20:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/gfa-kivo-launch-u-17-regional-champions-cup/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has introduced the inaugural Kivo U-17 Regional Champions Cup, a new initiative aimed at bolstering grassroots football in the country. This groundbreaking competition was officially launched at the GFA Secretariat on November 5, 2024, offering a fresh platform for young talents from across Ghana to shine. The 2026 Kivo U-17 Regional Champions Cup is set to commence on November 8, with 13 teams anticipated to vie for the championship title in a one-week tournament. The opening event will take place at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, uniting regional U-17 champions from various corners of the nation.\n\nGFA President Kurt Okraku emphasized the significance of this competition during the event's opening remarks, describing it as more than just another football tournament. \"Today, we are not simply launching another football competition,\" he stated. \"We are unveiling an opportunity. An opportunity for young footballers across our regions to showcase their talent, compete at a higher level, represent their communities with pride and take another important step towards realizing their football dreams.\" Okraku underscored the core principles of grassroots football, highlighting its role in discovering talent, nurturing potential, creating opportunities, and building the foundation for the future of Ghana football.\n\nThe tournament will be divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A will feature teams from the Ashanti Region (Raymond FC), Brong Ahafo (Sunyani Great Young Kotoko), Eastern Region (Show Show FC), Western Region (Tarkwa Barcelona FC), Upper West Region (Yaasin Colts FC), Greater Accra Region (Elite Academy-Achimota School and Elite Academy-Prempeh College), and the Upper East Region (Elite Academy-Bolgatanga Senior High School). Group B will include teams from the Central Region (Cheetah FC), Greater Accra Region (Desidero Football Academy), Northern Region (Young Lions FC), Volta Region (Sogakope Cule FC), Upper East Region (Bolga Soccer Masters), and the Upper East Region (Elite Academy-Bolgatanga Senior High School). The final match of the tournament is scheduled to be held on November 15, 2026.",
  "summary": "The competition was launched at the GFA Secratariat on Thursday, November 5, providing another platform for emerging talents across the country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}