Ghana's Golden Shuttlers have concluded their campaign at the 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championships in Cairo, Egypt, with a commendable haul of four medals. The team, comprising Francis Obeng-Shang, Obabompa Adu Mintah, Samuel Amasah, Racheal Quarcoo, Moslena Ama Korama Adu, Margaret Sarpei, and Alana Faith Sullo, demonstrated remarkable skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. Their medal tally includes one silver and three bronze medals, a notable achievement for the young Ghanaian shuttlers.
The Golden Shuttlers began their campaign on a high note, securing a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Relay event. This early success set the tone for their performance in the individual events, where five players qualified for the quarter-finals and four progressed to the semi-finals in the Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles categories. The team's momentum was sustained as Moslena Adu and Obabompa Mintah, as well as Obeng-Shang and Racheal Quarcoo, claimed bronze medals in their respective events.
The Mixed Doubles pair of Obabompa Adu Mintah and Moslena Ama Korama Adu won a bronze medal, while the Women’s Doubles team of Ama Korama Adu and Racheal Quarcoo delivered the team’s best individual performance, reaching the final. However, they lost 2-1 to Mauritius, settling for a silver medal. Despite these achievements, Ghana's performance in the other individual events was underwhelming, resulting in the team missing out on a possible BWF scholarship programme in Malaysia.
In recognition of their outstanding performance, the quartet of Ama Korama Adu, Adu Mintah, Obeng-Shang, and Racheal Quarcoo received special souvenirs from the organisers. The President of Ghana Badminton, Mr Evans Yeboah, praised the team for their efforts but acknowledged that more was expected of them. He emphasized the focus of Ghana Badminton to sustain the success of the young shuttlers for generations to come.
Team Ghana’s Alana Faith Sullo reflected on the championship, stating that the team gave their best in pursuit of gold, but ultimately fell short. Despite this, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete and learn from the championship. The team's experience at the All Africa U-19 Badminton Championships has provided valuable insights and motivation as they prepare for future competitions.
The Golden Shuttlers are set to shift their attention to the global BWF World Junior Championships, which commenced on October 6 and will run through to October 17 in Cairo. The team aims to build up points for the world rankings as well as the 2028 LA Olympic Games. This upcoming tournament presents an opportunity for the young shuttlers to apply the lessons learned from the All Africa U-19 Championships and enhance their competitive edge.
As the Golden Shuttlers prepare for the BWF World Junior Championships, they will look to build on their recent achievements and continue to develop their skills. With the support of the Ghana Badminton Association and the experience gained from competing at the All Africa U-19 Championships, the team is poised to make a strong impression on the global stage.
Key points
- The Golden Shuttlers won a total of four medals, including one silver and three bronze, at the 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championships.
- The team's performance was highlighted by Moslena Adu and Obabompa Mintah, as well as Obeng-Shang and Racheal Quarcoo, who claimed bronze medals in their respective events.
- The Golden Shuttlers will now focus on the BWF World Junior Championships, seeking to build up points for the world rankings and the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
