Sunderland: Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that serious discussions are underway with English Premier League side Sunderland AFC to establish a strategic partnership aimed at developing youth football in Ghana. The collaboration is set to create a direct pathway for talented young Ghanaian footballers to advance their careers in England through admission to the Sunderland Football Academy, the Academy of Light.
According to Ghana Web, Speaker Bagbin revealed that each year, young talents from Ghana will be identified and sent to the Sunderland Football Academy to be nurtured and groomed for the future. During the 37th sitting of Parliament, Bagbin highlighted that the owner and chairman of Sunderland AFC recently led a delegation to Parliament to initiate discussions and negotiations on this promising initiative.
He further explained that the youth development programme is slated to begin in the 2026/2027 football season. This programme will offer selected Ghanaian youngsters access to elite coaching, education, sports science, and professional development opportunities in the United Kingdom. "We have gone far with the discussions, and they are usually showing interest. Some may be around to get some talents. They are looking at starting with the 2026/2027 season," Bagbin noted.
The Speaker also recalled Ghana's historical connection with Sunderland Football Club, where former players like Asamoah Gyan made significant impacts in the EPL. He expressed appreciation for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and the Ministry of Finance for their significant support in executing this initiative.
This partnership stems from the annual Democracy Cup competition, led by the Speaker of Parliament. The upcoming edition of the Democracy Cup will see Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak competing on Friday, August 28, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.