Sports
FIFA TDS: Regional teams receive orientation ahead of elite U15 Boys Championship Kick-Off
Ahead of the much-anticipated Elite U15 Boys Championship, participating regional teams gathered at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram for an orientation session on Wednesday.
The meeting provided crucial information about the competition, ensuring that players, coaches, and officials are well-prepared for the tournament’s commencement.
The orientation session began with a welcome address delivered by Eugene Noel Nobel, an Executive Council Member and Chairman of the Elite U15 Committee.
Nobel expressed his excitement for the tournament, emphasizing the significance of the event in developing the next generation of football talent in Ghana. He highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and discipline throughout the championship, urging the young athletes to make the most of this opportunity to showcase their skills.
Following the welcome address, JoeSalam Abubakar, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Juvenile Committee, delivered a special message to the players and coaches on behalf of President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and the National Juvenile Committee.
In his message, Abubakar encouraged the young players to approach the competition with focus and determination, reminding them that this tournament is a stepping stone toward their future aspirations in football. He also commended the coaches for their dedication to nurturing talent and contributing to the development of Ghanaian football.
Michael Kwabla Fiaduse, a member of the organizing committee, then took the teams through essential aspects of the competition, ensuring that all participants are aware of the rules and procedures that will govern the tournament.
He covered critical topics such as pre-match meetings, submission of team sheets, appropriate strips for games, and key match regulations.
His detailed presentation aimed to ensure smooth coordination throughout the championship, helping teams to focus on their performance on the field.
The orientation session marks the final preparation stage before the official kick-off of the Elite U15 Boys Championship. With the teams now fully briefed, anticipation is building as young talents from across Ghana get ready to compete for regional pride and showcase their potential on the national stage.
The Elite U15 Boys Championship is part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme designed to identify and nurture promising young players and offer them a platform to compete at a high level.
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
