Ghana has taken a historic step in the development of its athletics landscape with the successful staging of the maiden Ghana Masters Athletics Championship in Kumasi, officially ushering the country into competitive Masters sport.
The championship, held on Friday, January 9, 2026, marked Ghana’s first structured effort to promote organised athletics for competitors aged 35 and above. Athletes competed across multiple age brackets, including categories for participants over 70 years, highlighting the championship’s commitment to lifelong fitness and competition beyond elite youth levels.
President of the Ghana Masters Association, Seth Panwun Boyoyo, described the event as more than a sporting contest, calling it a bold statement on purpose, resilience, and the redefinition of ageing in Ghana.
“Age is not a limitation but a new chapter of possibility,” Boyoyo said. “Fitness, discipline, and ambition do not fade with time; they grow stronger.”
Boyoyo explained that the championship also serves a broader public health purpose, addressing the country’s rising lifestyle-related health challenges by encouraging regular physical activity and healthier living habits among adults.
“This is a national call to action for Ghanaians to move more and prioritise wellness,” he added.
Beyond local competition, athletes at the championship were also vying for selection to represent Ghana at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Daegu, South Korea, scheduled for August 21, 2026.
The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including former elite athletes and individuals who embraced competitive sport later in life. According to Boyoyo, this blend reflects the inclusive philosophy of Masters athletics.
“You are redefining what it means to grow older in Ghana, ageing with strength, dignity, and purpose,” he told the athletes.
The championship attracted notable stakeholders from Ghana’s sports ecosystem, including National Sports Authority Board Chairman Dr Fred Awaah, traditional authorities, athletics administrators, coaches, and corporate partners.
Organisers say the successful maiden edition has laid a solid foundation for the growth of Masters athletics in Ghana, with plans to establish the championship as a permanent fixture on the national sporting calendar.
