Ghana Badminton has paid courtesy calls on the Ghana Sports Fund, the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) following the Golden Shuttlers’ successful participation in the 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championship and the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships in Cairo, Egypt.
The delegation, led by Ghana Badminton President Evans Yeboah and some executives of the association, visited the three institutions on Monday, October 19, after the team returned to Ghana on Friday, October 16, with four medals from the African championship, one silver and three bronze, and a gold medal in the Team Cheers competition at the World Junior Championship.
At the Ghana Sports Fund office, the Fund’s boss, Dr. David Kofi Wuaku, congratulated the team and called for greater recognition of achievements in less-publicised sporting disciplines.
“We are lifting the flag of Ghana so high in this discipline. Unfortunately, the achievements of some sports are not widely publicised. On behalf of the Minister of Sports and Recreation and the government, I congratulate you on the great work you are doing. We want to see how we can improve your welfare while projecting Ghana through sports and making you role models for younger athletes,” he said.
At the Ghana Olympic Committee, President Richard Kofi Akpokavie pledged to explore opportunities for Ghanaian badminton players to undertake specialised training in leading badminton countries, particularly in Asia.
“We will look at establishing collaborations with Olympic committees and badminton federations in countries such as China, Indonesia, India and Malaysia to create training opportunities for our players. Even if they can go for specific periods each year, it will help improve their level,” Akpokavie said.
He also urged the players to balance sports with education, noting that academic qualifications could open doors to scholarships and international opportunities.
“Sports and education must go together. We all played sports and went to school, and that combination helped us get to where we are today. We are here to support you and help you reach the very top,” he added.
At the SWAG office, President Kwabena Yeboah commended the team for making Ghana proud despite the limited resources available to some sporting disciplines. He called for increased government and corporate investment in badminton.
“With little support, you have won silver and bronze medals on the African continent and gold on the world stage. You deserve all the commendation, and we believe that with the right investment, you will not disappoint Ghana,” he said.
Yeboah also urged sports journalists to give badminton greater visibility and called on the government and corporate institutions to support the sport’s development.
“As sports journalists, we have a responsibility to tell your story and draw the attention of the Sports Ministry, the National Sports Authority, the central government and the corporate world to the need to invest in badminton. The government alone cannot finance sports development,” he added.
The courtesy calls provided an opportunity for Ghana Badminton to celebrate the Golden Shuttlers’ achievements and engage key stakeholders on the need for sustained investment, improved training opportunities and the continued development of badminton in Ghana.
By: Victoria Kwofie
