Ghana is set to make a landmark appearance on the global hybrid sports stage as its national phygital basketball team prepares to compete at the Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi later this month.
The team, assembled by the Ghana Esports Federation, will represent the country from December 17 to 24, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The four players and three officials will join delegations from more than 100 countries at the annual international tournament, which blends physical sport with digital gaming and is expected to attract over 2,000 spectators.
Phygital basketball, officially referred to as “Phygital Basketball. 3on3 FreeStyle”, combines competitive esports and on court play in a single contest. Teams face each other in two weighted stages, beginning with a digital match on the licensed game “3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound”, followed by a physical two-on-two game played on a standard three-by-three court. Scores from the digital round are carried into the physical match, with the final outcome determined by the combined total. The discipline carries a prize pool of 400,000 dollars, underscoring its growing international profile.
The format requires competitors to excel both as gamers and as athletes, placing equal emphasis on tactical decision making in the virtual arena and physical performance on the court. Organisers say the structure reflects the evolving nature of global sport, where technology and athleticism increasingly intersect.
President of the Ghana Esports Federation, Mr Igor Boumekpo, described Ghana’s participation as historic, noting that the country is one of only two African nations competing in phygital basketball at this year’s Games of the Future. He said the appearance marks a major step in positioning Ghana within the rapidly expanding phygital sports movement.
Preparation for the tournament has been supported by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the National Sports Authority, which have provided funding and diplomatic assistance to ensure the team travels well prepared and ready to compete. The federation’s partnership with the World Phygital Community has also helped strengthen Ghana’s presence in the emerging hybrid sports space.
With 16 teams taking part in the phygital basketball competition, Ghana has been drawn to face the United States in its opening match, a fixture that is expected to test the team’s readiness on both the digital and physical fronts as it seeks to make a strong first impression on the world stage.
