Two Asante Kotoko and Ghana football legends have lauded the thinking behind the much-awaited community gala competition dubbed MTN Ashantifest 2023.

1978 African Footballer of the Year, Abdul Razak and Ghana legend Frimpong Manso, believe that the community gala provides the platform required to groom the stars of tomorrow.

Ahead of the tournament kickoff on Saturday in Kumasi, 16 teams are aiming for the 20,000 ghc winning prize after one month of intense football and are primed for action.

Speaking at the launch of the 2023 edition of the MTN Ashantifest, Abdul Razak talked about the importance of the initiative.

"Now the league has ended, no Premiership. No Division One or Division Two. They are all off," he noted.

"This time the MTN Community Gala is coming on that is where that are going to get players so the standard will be very high."

Frimong Manso also added that the competition is a big platform for both players and agents to achieve something special.

"There are certain players who don't get the opportunity of playing at the highest level," Frimpong Manso said at the launch of the event.

"With this community gala, you get to see players and agents come to the venue [to watch]. They even like those players because they are not affiliated with any club."

Targeted Communities are Asafo, Amakom, Bantama, South Suntreso, Abuakwa, Santasi, Ahodwo, Atonso, Ahinsan, Tech and Ayigya.

The rest are Aboabo, Asawasi, Oforikrom, Asokore Mampong, Krofrom, Suame, Tafo, Abrepo, Bremang, Bohyen, Mamponteng, Kronum, Magazine and Afrancho.

Old Tafo are the defending champions.