The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced a landmark five-year high-performance partnership with X1, aimed at strengthening national team performance and supporting grassroots football development.
Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the GFA, said the partnership marked a defining moment in efforts to transform and elevate football in Ghana.
He noted that the agreement followed the impressive performance of Ghana’s U-15 girls’ team at a recent championship in Zimbabwe, describing it as evidence that the association’s long-term strategy of “fixing the fundamentals” of the game was yielding results.
He said, ”If you saw our girls at the U-15 level competing and winning at the continental stage, then you would appreciate that our focus on the fundamentals is right on track.”
Mr Simeon-Okraku attributed the progress to stakeholders who had consistently invested energy and resources into developing young talents across the country.
Under the agreement, X1 would serve as the official high-performance partner for the senior national team, the Black Stars, as well as support other national teams and the Division One League Super Cup.
He said the timing of the partnership was strategic, as Ghana intensified its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
He said, “Our Black Stars will represent us at the World Cup; the U-17 girls are close to qualification; the U-20 girls are also nearing qualification, while the boys’ U-17 team has returned to the Africa Cup of Nations after several years.”
Mr Simeon-Okraku said the collaboration reflected a shared commitment to excellence, resilience and sustained growth, stressing that Ghanaian football possessed not only a rich history but an even greater future.
He added that X1’s involvement in the Division One League Super Cup would strengthen domestic football by investing in clubs, players and communities that formed the backbone of the sport.
Mr Richard Zhang, Head of X1 Global, said it was a privilege to be part of Ghana’s football journey, describing the sport in the country as a strong expression of identity, passion and national pride.
He said, ”Football in Ghana is not just a sport; it is conversation, emotion and pride. Everybody has an opinion and a deep connection to the game.”
He said the partnership would see X1 support the Black Stars in their quest for excellence on both continental and global stages, while also powering the Division One League Super Cup.
Mr Zhang announced that Black Stars players Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu had been named brand ambassadors for the initiative.
He emphasised that the partnership extended beyond elite football, noting that X1 would invest in grassroots development through the construction and refurbishment of 10 football pitches nationwide.
The company would also provide playing kits, football boots and equipment to young players to support talent development.
Mr Zhang expressed appreciation to the GFA for the partnership, commended the Black Stars for inspiring the nation, and encouraged young people to continue pursuing their football dreams.
