Sports
Let’s brace for tough 2026
But for the qualification of the Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, the year 2025 would have passed as an incredible one for the least-financed group of sports federations.
It demonstrates why football is considered the biggest sport globally. It attracts the attention of all, including active players or followers of the rivaled disciplines.
So, even when some of these least-financed disciplines were battling hard at several platforms to win medals to boost Ghana’s image on the international sports map, the greater focus was on the qualifiers for the football showpiece.
It may be considered unfair in certain quarters but such is the weight of the sport that potentially gather 100,000 followers together at one place if there is a facility to accommodate them.
That, notwithstanding the achievement of the other disciplines cannot also be swept under the carpet. They must be given the recognition they deserve.
Apart from the World Cup qualification, sports disciplines like armwrestling, badminton, taekwondo, athletics, table tennis and amateur boxing also distinguished themselves in the year under review.
Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President, Richard Akpokavie, described it in the committee’s end-of-year statement as “a period marked by significant strides and memorable achievements across the breadth of our national sports landscape.”
Under the period, Ghanaian athletes excelled in various championships including the first Africa School Games and the African Youth Games, WAFU Zone B championships for the various age groupings, badminton championships, and others.
Perhaps, the Ghana Olympic Committee’s (GOC) planned launch of a new four-year strategic plan designed to professionalise structures and enhance governance that will build on the success achieved this year.
For the sport of professional boxing, the year 2025 represents one of the most difficult ones with tough challenges that left them with a long journey to navigate.
Few months after a Nigerian boxer died in a Ghanaian ring, another shocking death was recorded.
Ernest Akushey passed on barely two weeks after a fight, throwing the entire boxing fraternity into confusion over the cause of death.
That obviously provided the grounds for which a legitimate management board of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) was put aside, giving way to an interim body that was to end its work in December.
All that said and done, the focus in the New Year must be on what to do to write the wrongs of the past year to make sports better.
Obviously, the Black Stars preparation and participation at the World Cup would be high on the sector’s agenda, knowing the goodies we stand to gain as a nation.
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior Athletics Championships is another major championship that would attract athletes from the entire continent of Africa.
The Black Queens would also be engaged in the next AFCON in Morocco.
As usual, it would be another busy year for sports but the approach must switch from mere participation to winning laurels to make Ghana great again.
By Andrew Nortey
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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