Ghana’s international table tennis official, Millicent Ankude, has achieved another remarkable milestone after being officially selected to serve as an umpire at the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal.
The selection marks a significant achievement for Ankude, who has continued to make Ghana proud through her dedication, growth, and professionalism in table tennis.
Her appointment follows a highly competitive selection process under the Young Umpires Project, an initiative of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) aimed at developing young umpires for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Ankude successfully passed the International Umpire (IU) examinations earlier this year, earning her place among the selected officials who will represent the ITTF at the historic event, which will become the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil.
Her journey to this point reflects a unique transition from athlete to official. Before taking up international officiating, Millicent Ankude was also a player who represented Ghana at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, competing in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles events.
Her experience as a high-level competitor has further strengthened her understanding of the game and contributed to her development as an official.
Ankude’s achievement also reflects the growing opportunities for women in table tennis, in line with the ITTF’s FEMpowerment initiative, which seeks to encourage greater participation, visibility, and leadership opportunities for women across all areas of the sport.
Her transition from representing Ghana as an athlete to earning a place among international officials demonstrates the impact of creating pathways for women to excel beyond playing roles.
From competing for Ghana on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages to now preparing to officiate at a Youth Olympic Games, Ankude’s story represents dedication, versatility, and continuous growth within the sport.
Her achievement is a proud moment for the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and Ghana’s sporting community, as she prepares to carry the nation’s flag onto another major international stage.
The milestone also comes at a time when Ghana table tennis continues to experience increased international recognition and growth under the leadership of GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu.
Through a focus on athlete development, stronger international engagement, and creating opportunities for players, coaches, and officials, the association has continued to strengthen Ghana’s presence on the global table tennis stage.
Millicent Ankude’s selection is not only a personal accomplishment but also an inspiration to young athletes and officials across Africa who aspire to reach the highest levels of sport.
