By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – The 2026 Samanpiid Football Gala is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, November 14, at the Bok-Sapeliga Astro Turf in Binduri in the Upper East Region, with organisers hopeful of using the competition to promote unity, develop grassroots football and identify promising talents in the Kusaug traditional area.
On the theme, “Unearthing talents, inspiring greatness” the tournament would bring together participating teams to compete for honours while providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and attract the attention of talent scouts.
In an interview with GNA sports, Dr. Justice Iddrisu Lambon, Chairman of the Sports Committee of the organising team, said the competition aimed at uniting the people of Kusaug through football.
He said the area had a lot of talented young sportsmen and women who needed support and opportunities to develop their potential and become national assets.
Dr Lambon noted that the tournament was also expected to stimulate economic activities in the area, particularly through increased patronage of local businesses and other commercial activities during the competition.
He therefore appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), individuals, politicians, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support the initiative to ensure its success.
Mr Seidu Atiraga, Operations Officer of the tournament, said the Samanpiid Gala was an annual event that continued to provide a platform for discovering and nurturing football talents from Kusaug.
He said previous editions had produced players who had progressed to higher levels of the game, including Issah Kuka, a former Accra Hearts of Oak player, among other footballers who had featured prominently after emerging from the competition.
Mr Atiraga said the 2026 edition would offer another opportunity for young players to demonstrate their abilities, with the ultimate ambition of producing footballers capable of representing Ghana at the national and international levels.
He said the organisers were looking forward to a competitive tournament characterised by discipline, fair play, commitment and sportsmanship among participating teams.
The organisers believe the platform could produce players who would follow in the footsteps of Ghanaian football greats such as Abedi Pele, Ibrahim Tanko, Osman Bukari and Andre Ayew.
Beyond football, the Samanpiid Gala is expected to contribute to youth empowerment, community development and the promotion of social cohesion among the people of Kusaug.
The tournament would run from November 14 to December 26, 2026, at the Bok-Sapeliga Astro Turf in Binduri.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade