Africa-Press – Ghana. The 50th Central Zone Schools Sports Festival concluded in Ho with low enthusiasm, poor preparations, and notable absences of key leaders, raising concerns about school sports development.
Hosted at Mawuli School, the Golden Jubilee edition ended with dwindling participation and subdued excitement despite bringing together 14 schools, including OLA SHS, SOSTECH, Mawuko Girls SHS, Shia Senior High Technical School, Adaklu SHS, Tanyigbe SHS, Ziavi Senior High Technical School, Gbekor SHS, Ziope SHS, Agotime SHS, Walas Academy, and Sonrise Christian High School.
Organisers struggled to secure sponsorship, leaving SonFresh Mineral Water, a subsidiary of Sonrise Christian High School, as the sole sponsor with a GHS5,000 contribution, supplemented by a GHS700 levy from each participating school.
Teachers described the festival as “uninspiring,” citing reduced activities, low turnout, poor branding, and lack of trophies for overall winners or runners-up. “It felt like any other routine event, not a Golden Jubilee celebration,” one coach lamented.
The absence of key dignitaries—including Volta Regional Director of Education Francis Agbemavah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive Stephen Adom, and MPs Edem Kofi Kpotosu, Charles Agbeve, and Kwame Governs Agbodza—drew further criticism. “Their absence sends a worrying message about how much value is placed on school sports today,” a staff member said.
Participants also raised concerns about Mawuli School’s facilities, describing the main football pitch as a “sakora park,” the absence of a cross-country race, and insufficient recognition for top performers, all of which dampened morale and competitiveness.
Despite these setbacks, Gbekor SHS delivered the tournament’s biggest upset, defeating Mawuli School and SOSTECH to win the boys’ football trophy, while Mawuli School claimed four trophies across other disciplines.
Though excitement peaked briefly during the final match, many participants questioned whether such moments could salvage what they called “a poorly organised jubilee edition needing urgent reform.”
