Ghana’s U-21 men’s and women’s hockey teams have officially withdrawn from the upcoming Junior Africa Cup (JAC 2024), scheduled to take place in Windhoek, Namibia, from April 18 to 25, 2025, JoySports understands.

The Junior Africa Cup serves as the continental qualifier for the 2025 Junior World Cup in India.

This marks another missed opportunity for Ghana to return to a junior-level international hockey competition.

The country has not featured in a continental junior tournament since 2010, when its U-17 team won the competition and subsequently represented Africa at the Youth Olympic Games.

“For months, players, coaches, and support staff dedicated themselves to preparing for this continental opportunity, not just to compete but to progress," sources familiar with the teams' preparations told JoySports.

"This tournament was not only a chance to qualify for the Junior World Cup, but also a key stepping stone in the long-term development of our athletes.

"Losing it means an entire generation of players may miss their window to transition to the elite level through meaningful international competition,” one source said.

The source added that, “This withdrawal breaks that chain. The U21 level is crucial in bridging youth programs and the senior national team. It’s where we refine talent, build international experience, and test the readiness of athletes for the demands of the global stage. Without this opportunity, we risk stagnation.

Ghana’s withdrawal reduces the competition to seven men’s teams and six women’s teams, impacting the tournament’s structure and the opportunities for young Ghanaian athletes to gain international experience.

The Junior Africa Cup will proceed with the remaining participating nations, and the top teams will earn qualification spots for the Junior World Cup.