Ghana’s promising quarter-milers Aishatu “Odo Broni” Jaffar and Godfred Opoku will represent the country at the 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, following the confirmation by Ghana Athletics.
The championships will take place from August 5 to 9, with the two teenage athletes set to test themselves against some of the world’s most talented young competitors.
The Ghanaian contingent will be led by Yaw Boakye Yiadom, with Jaffar competing in the women’s 400 metres and Opoku lining up in the men’s 400 metres.
Two rising stars in Ghanaian track and field, Jaffar excelled for T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (T.I. AMASS, Kumasi), while Opoku competed for Okomfo Anokye Senior High School (Wiamoase). Notably, they recently teamed with the national team to win the Mixed 4×400m relay gold medal for Team Ghana at the CAA Region II U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Dakar, Senegal.
The delegation is scheduled to depart Accra today Sunday, August 2, and return on Monday, August 10, after the conclusion of the championships.
Ghana Athletics announced that the team’s participation was made possible through the support of Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, who facilitated air tickets for the entire delegation.
The association expressed its appreciation to the Minister for his commitment to the development of athletics in Ghana, noting that his intervention ensured the country’s participation at the global youth championships.
According to Ghana Athletics, the participation of Jaffar and Opoku reflects the association’s continued commitment to identifying, nurturing and exposing young Ghanaian athletes to top-level international competition.
The governing body believes the experience in Eugene will provide invaluable exposure for the two quarter-milers while contributing to their long-term development as they compete against the world’s best emerging talents.
As the team departs for the United States, Ghana Athletics has called on Ghanaians to rally behind the athletes as they strive to make the nation proud on the world stage.
Jaffar and Opoku will be hoping to leave their mark in Eugene as Ghana continues its investment in the next generation of athletics stars.
