The Ghana Badminton Association is set to host the 2026 All Ghana Badminton Open Championship at the Borteyman Sports Complex. Scheduled from March 20th to 23rd, the tournament promises to be a fiercely contested, bringing together the country’s finest shuttlers in a battle for supremacy.
According to the Ghana Badminton Association (BAG), a total of 101 players have registered to compete across five divisions: Under-15, Under-19, Schools, Seniors, and Veterans. While domestic honours are on the line, the tournament carries higher stakes for athletes hoping to elevate their careers.
Outstanding performers will not only earn valuable national ranking points but could also strengthen their cases for selection to major international competitions. These include the 2026 JE Wilson Ghana International and Junior Championships, the 2026 Africa U-19 Championships, the 2026 World Junior Championships in Indonesia, and the prestigious 2027 African Games in Egypt.
For many of the country’s brightest young prospects, the championship represents a pivotal opportunity to transform months of training into competitive glory and stake a claim as the next generation of Ghanaian badminton stars.
Officials Ready for Action
The event will also serve as a crucial platform for technical development. At least 49 technical officials are expected to officiate, with the championship also providing training opportunities for additional personnel interested in becoming certified umpires and technical officials.
Ahead of the opening matches on Friday, pre-tournament practice sessions begin on Wednesday, March 18th, allowing players to familiarise themselves with the venue. The organisers are anticipating a strong spectator turnout, bolstered by the government’s declaration of Friday, March 20th and Monday, March 23rd as public holidays. This extended weekend is expected to boost attendance and stimulate public interest in the sport.
Beyond the on-court battles, players will also be under the spotlight for their presentation. A strict dress code will be enforced, with special incentives for the “Best Dressed Participants,” including GH¢250 for singles players and GH¢500 for doubles pairs, adding a unique element of style to the championship.
A Platform for Ghana’s Rising Stars
According to BAG President, Evans Yeboah, the tournament is a critical test of the association’s grassroots “Badminton in Schools Project,” which has already introduced the sport to over 110,000 children nationwide. The programme has also strengthened the sport’s development pipeline, resulting in the certification of 48 new coaches and technical officials in 2025.
“My expectations for the 2026 Ghana Open are exceptionally high,” Mr. Yeboah stated. “This year’s championship is not just another event on the calendar; it is the pinnacle of our domestic circuit and a critical platform for identifying talent that will represent Ghana on the continental and world stage.”
Mr. Yeboah added that the tournament arrives at a moment of tremendous momentum for the sport, following a landmark year in 2025. “Following our Annus Mirabilis in 2025, where we swept continental championships and saw our athletes achieve global recognition, the 2026 Open arrives at a moment of tremendous momentum for Ghanaian badminton. We expect to see our established internationals, such as Jessica Lomotey and Ruben Teye Tetteh-Wayoe, defend their status, but more importantly, we are eager to witness the emergence of new talents from our grassroots programmes.”
