The future of Ghana’s para-sports received a major boost as more than 60 young athletes converged in Accra for the National Wheelchair Tennis Juniors Training, organised by the Ghana Wheelchair Tennis Federation (GWTF) in partnership with the Ghana Tennis Federation and supported by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The one-day programme, which drew participants from Accra, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Tamale, and Kumasi, was not just about tennis—it was about building confidence, breaking barriers, and nurturing a new generation of para-athletes.
Coach Yahya Macauley, who supervised the training, described the turnout as the most impressive in recent years.
“The athletes are very young, some as young as six, which tells us the future of wheelchair tennis in Ghana is extremely bright,” he said. “In five years, I believe we will be celebrating world-class wheelchair tennis stars from this country.”
The event also introduced “adaptive tennis,” an inclusive variation of the sport designed to accommodate athletes of all abilities. Coaches from across the regions played a key role in scouting and preparing the participants, and Coach Macauley extended gratitude to them while appealing for more institutional support.
“We need both government and NGOs to come on board to sustain and expand this initiative,” he urged.
Ghana’s top female wheelchair tennis player, Bridget Nartey, also highlighted the life-changing impact of para-sports.
“Some of the children were playing for the first time, and the joy on their faces was priceless,” she said. “To every person with a disability, I say there is hope. Get involved in a para-sport—whether it’s wheelchair tennis, para-powerlifting, or para-badminton—because it can change your life and make you a source of pride for Ghana.”
With Ghana preparing to select a team for an international wheelchair tennis competition in South Africa this October, the training has positioned the country’s para-athletes to not only compete but also inspire.
Wheelchair tennis, once little known in Ghana, is now fast becoming a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and inclusion.
