A commemorative hockey tournament was held in Accra on Saturday to honour the memory of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills.

The 13th edition of the J.E. Atta-Mills Memorial Hockey Tournament took place at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium and was organised by the J.E. Atta-Mills Memorial Heritage in collaboration with the Veterans Hockey Club.

President Atta-Mills, a former hockey player and passionate supporter of the sport, is remembered not only for his leadership but also for his lasting contributions to sports development in Ghana.

The tournament featured a number of matches, including contests between the University of Ghana and Einstein, White Tops and Coloured Tops, the national U21 Ladies and Police Ladies, as well as a fixture between Security Services and Financial Services teams.

The event drew several prominent figures from the world of sports and public life. Among them were Samuel Atta-Mills, younger brother of the late president; Dr Benjamin Asante, President of the Ghana Hockey Association; Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Director General of the National Sports Authority; Edward Awuah Nyamekye, former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association; Akrofi Mantey, a former teammate of the late president among others.

Speaking to JoySports, Dr Ben Asante highlighted the impact President Atta-Mills had on Ghana hockey.

“He was more than a hockey enthusiast,” he said.

 “He actually served as President of the Ghana Hockey Association for a very long time, and he didn’t stop there.

“He was instrumental in developing facilities across the country, nurturing players and officials, and sourcing funding for hockey and other lesser-known sports. He was deeply involved in sports—and hockey, in particular, was his life.”

Dr Asante also shared a personal recollection:  “I was one of his boys. I got called up to the national team when I was about 19 and playing for the junior national team.

“He took a special interest in those of us who were in university and also representing the country.”

Reflecting on the late president’s skill on the pitch, Akrofi Mantey shared a fond memory: “If you were on the end of his crosses, you had no excuse, you had to score.”

The annual tournament continues to celebrate the sporting legacy of Professor Atta-Mills, who served as President of Ghana from 2009 until his death in 2012.

His passion for hockey remains an enduring source of inspiration for many in the sport.