Ghana officially entered a new phase of competitive athletics on Friday, January 9, 2026, with the successful staging of the Maiden Ghana Masters Athletics Championship in Kumasi, an event aimed at promoting lifelong fitness and competitive sport beyond elite youth levels.

President of the Ghana Masters Association, Seth Panwun Boyoyo, described the championship as more than a sporting contest, calling it “a powerful statement about life, purpose, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.”

“This event is not just a competition,” Boyoyo said. “It is a powerful statement about life, purpose, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.”

The championship brought together athletes aged 35 and above, competing across multiple age categories up to 70 years and beyond, reinforcing the association’s core message that physical activity and competitive sport remain relevant at every stage of life.

Addressing the athletes directly, Boyoyo stressed that age should never be seen as a barrier.

“You remind us that age is not a limitation, but a new chapter of possibility,” he said. “You prove that fitness, discipline, and ambition do not expire with time. Instead, they mature, deepen, and inspire others.”

Boyoyo noted that the championship also responds to Ghana’s growing public health concerns, particularly the rise in lifestyle-related illnesses.

“This Masters Championship stands as a national call to action — encouraging Ghanaians to move more, live healthier, and choose wellness over complacency,” he stated.

He added that the competition was not only about medals but about long-term wellbeing and international opportunity.

“You are not only competing for medals; you are competing for longevity, vitality, and quality of life, and a place to represent Ghana in the World Masters Championship in South Korea (Daegu) from 21st August, 2026,” Boyoyo said.

The Ghana Masters Association President also highlighted the inclusive nature of the championship, noting that it brought together former elite athletes and individuals who embraced sport later in life.

“Some of you once represented Ghana at elite levels, and others discovered sport later in life — today you are all champions,” he said. “Through this platform, you now have the opportunity to compete across Africa and on the global stage, flying the Ghana flag high once again.”

According to Boyoyo, the presence of Masters athletes challenges conventional perceptions of ageing in Ghana.

“Your presence here today redefines what it means to grow older in Ghana,” he said. “You are proof that one can age with strength, dignity, and purpose.”

He also urged the general public to draw inspiration from the event and prioritise physical activity.

“Whether through walking, running, swimming, athletics, or any form of physical activity — it is never too late to begin,” Boyoyo said. “Health is wealth, and movement is medicine.”

The championship was attended by key stakeholders in Ghana’s sports administration, including Dr Fred Awaah, the current National Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority (NSA), alongside traditional leaders, athletics officials, coaches, medical personnel, volunteers, and corporate partners.

Boyoyo praised the organisers and partners for laying what he described as a foundation for the future of Masters sport in Ghana.

“This championship lays the foundation for a future where Masters sports become an integral part of Ghana’s sporting ecosystem,” he said, while also calling on corporate institutions to support the initiative.

“We call on Corporate Ghana to join hands with Ghana Masters to keep the nation healthy.”

He concluded with a strong message of ambition and national pride.

“May this competition grow from strength to strength. May it produce African and world champions. And may it help build a healthier, more active, and united Ghana,” Boyoyo said.

The Maiden Ghana Masters Athletics Championship marks the formal beginning of structured Masters athletics in Ghana, with organisers hopeful it will become a permanent fixture on the national sporting calendar.