Ghanaian Youth Sports Shine: Black Damsels Retain CAF Title as Interschool Festival Concludes

Ghana's youth sporting landscape witnessed a series of significant achievements this week, headlined by the Black Damsels successfully defending their continental crown. The Ghana U-15 girls' team secured back-to-back titles at the CAF African Schools Football Championship after a grueling final against Burkina Faso. Following a goalless draw in regulation time, the Ghanaians triumphed 10-9 in a high-stakes penalty shootout. Forward Christiana Ashiaku, who scored twice during the competition, was named Player of the Tournament for her instrumental role in the team's victory. In the boys' division of the continental championship held in Zimbabwe, Senegal emerged as the overall winners, defeating Morocco 4-0 in the semi-finals before edging out Uganda 5-4 on penalties in the final.

On the domestic front, the 2026 Ghana Interschool Festival (Part 2) concluded at the Borteyman Sports Complex and Lincoln Community School, featuring over 2,000 students from 16 schools. The festival showcased a high level of competition across multiple disciplines, with Peculiar International School emerging as the overall best-performing institution. Galaxy International School claimed the boys' football title, while DPS International Ghana dominated the girls' football, badminton, and basketball events. Other notable winners included Lycee Fran'ais International School in handball, Roman Ridge School in girls' table tennis, and Lincoln Community School in junior swimming. The event, supported by sponsors including Perla and Unilever Ghana PLC, highlighted the critical role of school sports in holistic student development and hygiene awareness.

Beyond school-based competitions, efforts to diversify sports participation saw a boost at the Achimota Golf Club. A specialized free training session led by Dr. Cynthia Forson and Kous Louanges Mang provided coaching to approximately 15 underprivileged girls, focusing on the fundamentals of golf, teamwork, and confidence-building. Organizers emphasized that such initiatives are vital for the long-term development of junior golf in Ghana and for creating equitable opportunities for young female athletes. This community-focused event was complemented by the resumption of institutional sports, as the University of Ghana Corporate Football League returned from its Easter break. Game Week 7 featured high-stakes matchups across the UG Sports Stadium, with teams like Wilmar Africa, Telecel Ghana, and the National Communications Authority (NCA) competing for critical points in the standings.

These combined events reflect a vibrant period for Ghanaian sports, ranging from grassroots empowerment and interschool rivalries to elite continental success. The consistent performance of the Black Damsels on the African stage underscores Ghana's potential as a powerhouse in youth football development. As corporate leagues resume and community outreach programs expand, the focus remains on sustaining this momentum to ensure a robust pipeline of talent across various sporting disciplines. The integration of corporate sponsorship and professional coaching into youth programs continues to be a driving force in the nation's pursuit of sporting excellence.