The maiden edition of the Urban Sports Festival was held on Saturday, January 25, at the iconic Ghud Park in Accra, shining a spotlight on Ghana’s burgeoning urban sports scene.

The event, organized by the Ghanaian NGO DUNK (Developing Unity, Nurturing Knowledge) in partnership with the French Embassy in Ghana, featured competitive tournaments in 3x3 basketball, breaking (a form of breakdancing), and skateboarding. It also included live music, dance performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities.

The basketball competitions brought together teams like Togo's Ignite, The Big 4, ISO Ghana, and The Elite, who competed for top honors. Meanwhile, the breaking and skateboarding contests showcased the immense creativity and talent within Ghana’s urban sports community.

“Our anticipation was a thousand people for the first edition, and we’ve had close to that," The event organizer, Mohammed Tahir told JoySports.

"In general, the organization has been great, the partners have been great, all the collaborators. There are a lot of youth out here, and this also tells us that there’s a need for such festivals to happen in Ghana.”

Marine Hayem, a representative from the French Embassy, emphasized the importance of events like the Urban Sports Festival in fostering inclusivity and empowering the youth.

“This event is a way to encourage young people to practice sports, and it is also a way to create jobs and empower the youth.

"In France, we take these disciplines very seriously. Urban sports are very inclusive and bring people from different backgrounds together, regardless of gender, status, or where you are from. Everyone can participate to express themselves through music, dance, and sports,” she said.

Hayem also noted how collaborations like these strengthen ties between France and Ghana.

“Urban culture reinforces the ties between France and Ghana as it creates opportunities for collaboration, and we are very excited to celebrate this Urban Sports Festival together.”

The festival also celebrated Ghana’s vibrant arts scene with live performances from renowned local artists, workshops designed to inspire creativity, and a variety of food and drink vendors that kept attendees energized throughout the day.

As the first event of its kind in Ghana, the Urban Sports Festival not only brought together sports and culture but also provided a platform for young athletes to gain visibility and new opportunities on a global stage.