The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, has stated that the government will nurture young talent and increase its competitiveness on the international stage.
He stated this during an official announcement of a delegation selected to represent Ghana at the Youth Athletes Development Project 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday in Accra.
He noted that Ghana continues to invest in its sporting future, and the selected athletes and coaches represent the nation’s hope for a successful showing at the global youth sports stage, fueled by strategic development and international exposure.
The selection comprises four talented individuals: two athletes and two coaches, noting that the initiative is part of Ghana’s strategic preparations for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
Mr Kofi Adams stated, “The delegation included prominent sports leaders such as Ghana Athletics President, Mr Bawa Fuseini and Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC) President, Mr Richard Akpokavie, along with the selected athletes and coaches.
The chosen athletes are Gladys Boateng from St. Louis Senior High School and Blessed Junior Owusu, both of whom have showcased remarkable performances in recent competitions. They will be joined by experienced coaches Mustapha Mohammed of Effiduasi Senior High School and Francisca Azumah of Azantilow Senior High Technical School in Bolgatanga.”
The Minister congratulated the young athletes on their selection, emphasising the importance of discipline and hard work, and encouraged them to serve as ambassadors.
He pledged to fund their education to whatever level they aspire and presented each athlete with $500 to support their preparations in Kenya. He added that the Nairobi training camp will offer the athletes high-performance training, exposure to elite coaching techniques and opportunities to compete in one of the world’s most renowned athletics environments.
“We have the talents; all we need now are the right amenities to develop our sports further. It’s also important that we include sports like Rugby in our schools to diversify and enhance our sporting culture. We must provide the enabling environment for every sport to thrive,” he stated.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
