Hagar Oboshie Laryea and Lawrencia Okailey Okine, key players of the Ghana Masters Ladies Hockey Team, were among the 32 sportswomen, journalists, and organisations recognised during the 10th anniversary of the Women in Sports Achievers Awards. The event took place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Hagar Oboshie Laryea made history as the first Ghanaian female FIH umpire in 2009. Her hockey journey began with her debut national team appearance during the 2003 African Games in Abuja, Nigeria, followed by the Afro-Asia Games later that month. She continued to make strides in the sport, officiating as an umpire in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2007, and later in Schengen Staten in 2009.
In her interview after receiving the award, Hagar Oboshie Laryea expressed her gratitude, saying, “My heart was full of joy and happiness for receiving this award. I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved. I also want to thank the most wonderful woman, Madam Gloria Commodore, for recognising my hard work, love, and dedication in sports with this amazing award. It means a huge deal to me, and I am proud to be honored. May the good Lord continue to bless Mama Gee for all she does for women in sports.”
Lawrencia Okailey Okine, who began playing hockey in 1997, earned her first national team call-up in 2003. She played a pivotal role in the Ghana National Fire Service team, which won silver medals at the African Cup for Club Championship in Abuja (2004), Ghana (2005), and Kenya (2007).
In her interview, Lawrencia Okailey said, “I am incredibly grateful for the honour of receiving this award. It is truly humbling, and I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Madam Gloria Commodore for recognising my hard work and dedication with this award. It means a great deal to me, and I am truly honoured.”
Both players continue to play actively at the club level and were part of the Ghana Masters Hockey Ladies Team that travelled to Nottingham, UK, to participate in the 2022 and 2024 World Masters Hockey Tournaments.
Their recognition serves as a testament to their dedication, skill, and long-standing contribution to hockey in Ghana, and both players expressed a strong commitment to continue promoting the sport in the years to come.
