Charles Kaboré launches Burkina Faso U18 talent hunt

Burkina Faso has begun a new talent pathway for young footballers, with Sport Ambassador Charles Kaboré launching an under-18 tournament designed to identify players for international opportunities and future national-team development.

Kaboré opened the competition on Monday, September 14, at the Benfica Campus BF in Ouagadougou. The event runs until September 16 and brings together 12 football academies and training centres in a three-day programme focused on assessing emerging local talent.

The tournament forms part of the Presidential Initiative for the Renewal and Promotion of Sporting Excellence, an undertaking backed by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Its stated aims are to help promising Burkinabè players access higher-level opportunities and build a stronger pool from which the national Stallions team can eventually benefit.

Focusport FC, USFA, AS Police, AS Douanes, Olympique de Ouagadougou, Real du Faso, CFFEB, Kacis Club, Omega FC, AD-Duha FC, Juntos FC and Salitas are taking part. Kaboré, a former captain of the Stallions, urged the players to maintain their commitment to training and said partnerships of this kind should continue.