Ghana’s U-21 men’s and women’s hockey teams have withdrawn from the Junior Africa Cup (JAC 2024) in Windhoek, Namibia, scheduled for April 18-25, 2025 due to financial support, per reports in the local media. This continental qualifier determines the teams that will represent Africa at the 2025 Junior World Cup in India.
According to a source quoted by Joysports, “For months, players, coaches, and support staff dedicated themselves to preparing for this continental opportunity, not just to compete but to progress.”
“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.”
The source further emphasized the importance of the U21 level, stating, “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 opportunities for young Ghanaian athletes.
The Junior Africa Cup will proceed with the remaining teams, and the top teams will qualify for the Junior World Cup. This marks another missed opportunity for Ghana to participate in a junior-level international hockey competition, with the country last featuring in a continental junior tournament in 2010.
