The National Badminton Under 19 team, Golden Shuttlers, returned home at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday, August 30, 2024, after successfully winning three gold medals in the All Africa Badminton Junior Under 19 championships in Senegal. The competition took place from August 12 to 19, 2024.
The team won three gold medals and a bronze, securing gold in the mixed relay team event, boys’ triple event, and female triple event, as well as a bronze medal in the men’s doubles.
Upon their arrival, Moses Adu, the coach who led them to this historic feat, expressed his excitement at achieving such glory for Ghana. “For now, Ghana is the first country to have won the Air Badminton, and we must maintain this glory. We cannot afford to sit back and relax. Other countries will also work hard, so we need stakeholders to support us to soar higher and hold this position for at least ten years. We can do it. We have won it for the first time, and we must maintain it. We need support from all stakeholders.”
The deputy captain of the team, Moslena Ama Korama Adu, who won two gold medals, attributed their success in Senegal to hard work and God’s favor. “Throughout our training, our coach helped us, and we never gave up. We continued with our training, and by God’s grace, we won the medals. I see myself reaching out for the World Medals.”
The President of the Ghana Badminton Association, Mr. Evans Yeboah, was elated by this milestone and described it as the best on the continent. “This is the best we have seen on the continent. The results achieved by winning three golds and one bronze put us on a pedestal that gives us an avenue for the sport. The sport of badminton is triumphing, and with the results achieved, it is compelling each individual and stakeholder in the sport to move to the next highest level. Having qualified for the world championships, it gives us the avenue to spearhead the country to that height.”
He further expressed gratitude to all stakeholders in the games, especially the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Youth and Sports, for their immense support. “We are excited about the collaborations, and we can’t do without all of you. We urge all corporate institutions to get closer to us as we move on to have our brand alignment and expand their growth. Indeed, we have all the support we need. It’s been challenging with the government, but we have massive support. They supported us during the camping period, and this has been very good for what we need to do. We encourage each and every stakeholder in the private sector to get closer; there is a lot of collaboration that we can always forge and partner ahead.”
The Ghanaian team, comprising talented young players Addo Leslie Nii Adote, Adu-Mintah Obapomba, Ankrah Jonathan, Amofa Andy, Adu Moslena Ama Korama, Quarcoo Racheal, and Awa Camara.
