Tamale witnessed an inspiring celebration of youth football as Old Buddies/Life After Sports, in collaboration with the Northern Regional Football Association (NRFA), organized U-15 Girls Gala Matches to promote girls’ participation in sports. The two-day event kicked off on Friday, 2nd January 2026, and brought together nine vibrant female teams from across the region.
Participating teams included: Kanshegu Smart Ladies, Talented Ladies, Rising Sporting Club, Northern Angels, Din-Nani Ladies, Dalun Simli Ladies, Vision Ladies, Starlet Strikers and Tamale Future Ladies
After intense competition through the group stages and semi-finals, Kanshegu Smart Ladies and Talented Ladies made it to the finals. The final match lived up to expectations, ending in a dramatic penalty shootout, where Talented Ladies clinched the victory and were crowned champions.
In recognition of the teams’ efforts, Old Buddies/Life After Sports awarded:
Two sets of jerseys to the finalists
Silver medals to the runners-up
Gold medals and a trophy to the winners
Individual excellence was also celebrated with awards for: Best Player, Goal Queen, Best Goalkeeper
Present at the ceremony was the Chairman of NRFA, Alhaji Abu Hassan Rhyzo, who commended Old Buddies for their commitment to youth development through football. He promised to inscribe the name “Life After Sports” in the RFA’s special book of honor and called on other organizations to emulate such impactful initiatives.
Representing Life After Sports, Ali Alhassan encouraged the young players to blend sports with education, avoid drugs, and support their families. He further appealed to the NRFA Chairman to consider the inclusion of the group members in future GFA coaching license programs.
This initiative not only nurtures football talent but also reinforces the importance of discipline, education, and community support among the youth.
Story by Musah Abdul-Raheem
