Golden Shuttlers receive heroic welcome in Accra after Badminton triumph

Ghana's U-19 Junior National Badminton team, known as the Golden Shuttlers, returned home to a triumphant reception at Accra's Kotoka International Airport on Friday evening. 

The team was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of fans and supporters, proudly displaying the national colors, following their victorious performance at the 2024 All Africa Youth Badminton Championship in Senegal.

The Golden Shuttlers, who arrived on a Kenya Airways flight, brought home an impressive haul of three gold medals and one bronze. Their victory in the mixed team category was particularly notable, as they defeated Benin with a 60-50 aggregate score. 

The winning team included players Addo Leslie, Nii Adote, Adu-Minta Obapomba, Ankrah Jonathan, Amofa Andy, Moslena Ama Korama Adu, Quarcoo Racheal, and Awa Camara.

In the men’s team category, Ghana secured gold by defeating South Africa 3-1, thanks to the efforts of Addo Leslie, Nii Adote, Adu-Minta Obapomba, and Ankrah Jonathan. The women’s team also triumphed, beating Algeria 3-1 to claim another gold medal, with a team comprising Moslena Ama Korama Adu and Quarcoo Racheal.

Mr. Yeboah Evans, President of the Ghana Badminton Association, praised the team’s outstanding performance, stating, “The achievement of winning three gold medals and one bronze places us on a strong platform, offering us new opportunities to elevate the sport in Ghana.” He emphasized the importance of badminton’s growth in the country, driven by the team’s success.

Evans also highlighted the team's qualification for the World Championship, which he sees as a crucial step towards advancing Ghana’s sporting profile. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the Ghana Olympic Committee, National Sports Authority, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Tebal Ghana during the team’s preparation at the Borteyman Sports Complex.

Coach Moses Adu, head of the team, commended the athletes for their dedication and urged them to continue making Ghana proud. He noted, “We competed in both Badminton and Air Badminton events, with Ghana becoming the first country in Africa to win the Air Badminton title. This is a historic achievement, and we must strive to maintain this glory.”

Deputy Captain Moslena Ama Korama Adu, speaking on behalf of the players, shared their excitement and commitment to winning more medals for Ghana in the future. “It wasn’t easy, but with God, everything was possible. Our coach supported us throughout our training, and we did not disappoint him. I have been playing badminton for five years now, and I see myself reaching for World Championship medals,” she said.

The Golden Shuttlers’ remarkable success has not only brought pride to the nation but has also inspired a new generation of young athletes to take up the sport, with many eager to follow in their footsteps.