A new eight-week youth tournament, the first in the Ashanti region of Ghana, will take place at Wesley College of Education in Kumasi from September 5 to October 24. It will feature four senior high schools - Aduman, Pentecost, St. Michael, and Afigya Technical – and will follow a round-robin format during the group stage, each week featuring two boys’ and two girls’ games, leading to Grand Finals to determine both champions.

It is the latest development in Rugby League Federation Ghana’s five-year strategy to expand the sport into three key regions by 2030 - Ashanti, Central and Greater Accra - and the official launch of the championship and inauguration of the Ashanti Region Rugby League Association will take place on September 3 at the National Sports Authority offices in Kumasi.

RLFG board member and chair of the Ashanti Region Rugby League Association, David Akomeah Asokwah, said: “This inaugural Boys and Girls 13s Championship is more than just a tournament—it is the beginning of a journey to embed rugby league into the culture of our schools, communities, and hearts. Our vision is to provide young people with a pathway to excellence, teamwork and discipline, while creating opportunities for them to represent our region and nation at the highest level.”

“Rugby league is more than a sport—it is a tool for unity, character building, and youth empowerment,” added fellow board member and patron, George Morgan. “This competition will not only showcase the talent within our schools but also inspire the next generation to dream bigger and work harder. My commitment as patron is to support the growth of this sport in every corner of our region.”

National Sports Authority technical director, Simon Koku Gluikpor, praised the initiative. “The NSA is proud to witness rugby league’s expansion into the Ashanti Region. This competition reflects our shared mission to diversify sports participation and provide more opportunities for youth engagement,” he noted. “We believe it will produce future national team players and boost Ghana’s reputation on the international stage.”