World championships: Ghana’s Badminton raises Africa’s flag high

In the fantastic city of Spokane, Washington, where the 2023 BWF World Junior Badminton Championship is taking place, Ghana made history, with the teenagers fighting as if their very existence depended on not giving up the events.

The World Championships also serve as an Olympic qualifier for the Paris 2024 global event. Before this, the Ghana Badminton team participated in South Africa, Nigeria events, and a national open last summer.

A 16-man contingent of players and officials led by Ghana’s Badminton President, Yeboah Evans, is all the motivation the players need to self-motivate themselves, chalking the historic most significant achievement in the mixed team event by any African country in 23 years of the World Championships.

Over 54 countries are in the United States fighting for honors, with Ghana presenting a few players for the tournament but registering gains that can only inspire a more significant achievement sooner than later.

The young players, with some of them traveling outside the country for the first time, are impressing even officials of their opponents, drawing commendations for having a great future ahead towards the 2023 African Games, 2024 Paris Olympics, 2026 Youth Olympics, and other international open and invitational events.

Ghana became the first African country to reach the finals of its Mix Team Group after losing to Norway in the final stage. Ghanaian players Andy Amofa and Elvis Osei won the Mixed Team Event’s 4th and 5th best players, while Moslena Adu placed 10th in the overall player rankings.

Ghana had to settle for second place in the group match, which nonetheless marked a historic achievement. Amofa committed a rare service error but quickly recovered, delivering a cross-court smash to regain the lead at 11-09.

In a crucial moment, Amofa surprised Norway’s Aldrin Nelson by returning a shuttle that appeared to be heading wide, but the Norway player managed to keep it close to the net.

Amofa returned the shuttle and secured the point with a well-executed backflip to the other side of the court, taking an 11-09 lead. Despite Nelson saving two match points, he failed to return a body smash by Amofa near the net.

With a final score of 3-0, Ghana lost the last game and handed Norway a winning match, concluding for the Ghanaian players one of their career’s most riveting badminton games.

Ghana performed far better than the earlier 2017 World Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and was in pole position for the 2024 France Olympics Qualification Ranking with four other international matches until the deadline of 28 April 2028.

About Ghana Badminton

We are Ghana Badminton, the governing body of Badminton in Ghana, formed in 1962, representing all members of the sport of Badminton. We are the national sports governing body with regulatory functions for the Olympic sport of Badminton.

With Olympic success at the heart of our ambitions, we are investing our knowledge and expertise in rebuilding a quality future for our sport by strengthening and developing the domestic game and developing talent to achieve success on the international stage.

We are also focused on inspiring the next generation of players, local fans, and the corporate community in line with the global vision of giving every child a chance to play for life by leading and inspiring all stakeholders, delivering entertainment through exciting events to drive fan experience, and creating innovative, impactful, and sustainable development initiatives.

With thousands of Ghanaians playing every year, Badminton looks forward to being the nation’s favourite racket sport by 2024. We want to inspire everyone to play more, support louder, and love badminton, from this generation to the next, as the world’s fastest racket sport. Get Involved!

Reporting by Nana Agyeman Prempeh in Accra

Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming on facebook.com/asaase99.5. Also on YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#Asaase321
#TheVoiceofOurLand
#WeAreHere
#WeLoveOurLand
#SafeMotorway4All