The 2025 edition of the Bankers Football League (BFL) has officially been launched in Accra, setting the stage for yet another exciting season of camaraderie, competition, and collaboration among Ghana’s leading financial institutions.
With participation from 23 banks, the tournament is aimed not just at winning trophies, but at strengthening bonds across the industry and promoting the holistic well-being of banking professionals.
Held under the auspices of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB), the BFL has evolved into a tradition that offers bankers more than just an opportunity to compete on the field. At the launch, Collins Boamah, Head of Regulatory, Ethics, Forensics and Special Duties at GAB, explained that the league was designed as a remedy to the high-stress environment of banking.
“The purpose of organising this league is to foster collaboration, friendship, and ease the stress that comes with our enormous responsibilities as bankers. We hardly get time to exercise, socialise or even unwind, and this league offers that balance between work and recreation.”
Collins Boamah
He highlighted the importance of camaraderie over competition and encouraged participants to view the games as an opportunity for relationship-building rather than rivalry.
“Though it’s a competition, the real value lies in the collaborative effort and socialisation. Fraud, for example, is a common enemy that requires a collective response from all 23 banks. We must work together and not in silos.”
Collins Boamah
Growing Tradition, Enhanced Experience
Since its inception in 2018, the Bankers Football League has steadily grown into a key event on the industry’s calendar. Erica Bansah, a member of the BFL organising team, reflected on this growth during the launch, describing how the tournament has matured into a unifying force.
“What began as a dream to promote professional friendship, wellness, and entertainment has become an annual tradition,” Bansah noted. She expressed gratitude to the Ghana Association of Banks for its continuous support and stressed that the league embodies values central to both sport and the financial sector: discipline, respect, and excellence.
Bansah announced several enhancements to the 2025 edition of the league. Weekly matches, which will be played every Saturday, will now run through to the end of September. A preliminary gala event is scheduled for June 28 and July 5 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, serving as the curtain-raiser for the main tournament, which kicks off on July 12 at two venues—the McDan Astroturf and the St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School pitch.
To improve the fan and player experience, a real-time digital platform will be used to provide match updates, while upgraded medical facilities will ensure the health and safety of all participants.
Teams, Fixtures, and Prizes
The gala draw has divided the competing banks into four groups. Group A comprises Ecobank, FirstBank, National Investment Bank, and Zenith Bank. Group B includes Bank of Ghana, Stanbic Bank, UBA, and UMB. Group C features CAL Bank, GT Bank, Access Bank, and Absa Bank, while Group D sees Consolidated Bank Ghana, Standard Chartered, Republic Bank, and OmniBSIC battling it out.
CAL Bank, the defending champions from the 2024 edition, will be looking to retain their crown after their 2-0 victory over the Bank of Ghana in last year’s final. Trophies and cash prizes are up for grabs this year, alongside individual awards for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Top Scorer.
Each match will be played in two halves of 15 minutes, totalling 30 minutes of fast-paced, high-energy football. While competition is expected to be fierce, organisers continue to stress the event’s broader mission: promoting teamwork, health, and friendship.
More Than a Game
As the league gains momentum, its true impact goes beyond the football pitch. It is creating a space for informal networking, team bonding, and stress relief in a sector that often demands long hours and intense focus.
“While this is a competition, it is also a community,” Bansah reminded the participants. “Let’s play hard, stay fit, and above all, enjoy. Let’s uphold the values of discipline, respect, and excellence that define both football and our professional sector.”
With its emphasis on unity, wellness, and collaboration, the 2025 Bankers Football League stands as a shining example of how corporate Ghana can blend work with wellness and competition with camaraderie.
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