Ghana’s rising beach volleyball talents opened their campaign at the 2nd CAVB Beach Volleyball Youth Developmental Cup in Saly, Senegal, with back-to-back defeats, first to DR Congo and then to Senegal B, in what organisers of the tournament describe as a critical developmental pathway toward the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games.
In the men’s opening fixture, Ghana were beaten in straight sets by DR Congo, going down 0–2. The first set was tightly contested, with Ghana pushing DR Congo to a 19–21 finish before the Congolese pair found their rhythm to close out the second set 15–21 and secure the win.
Ghana’s Under-18 duo then took to the sand against Senegal B, where the home side triumphed 2–0. Ghana matched Senegal B closely in the first set, falling 18–21, before the hosts pulled clear in the second, winning 13–21. The contest was ultimately decided by a medical forfeit, with Ghana unable to continue.
Despite the results, both performances underline the competitiveness Ghana’s young pairing have shown against more established regional sides, particularly in the opening sets of each encounter.
The tournament forms part of a wider CAVB initiative to develop Africa’s next generation of beach volleyball talent ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, which Senegal is set to host.
Ghana are represented at the tournament by Justice Amoafo and Daniel Lartey, under the guidance of Coach Seidu Ajanako, who leads the technical team pitch-side throughout the competition.
Tournament Fact Box
Event: 2nd CAVB Beach Volleyball Youth Developmental Cup
Host City: Saly, Senegal
Purpose: Developmental programme preparing African talent for the Youth Olympic Games
Ghana Representatives: Justice Amoafo and Daniel Lartey
Head Coach: Seidu Ajanako
Ghana’s technical team will now regroup and assess the fitness of the U18 pairing ahead of the remaining fixtures, as the developmental cup continues in Saly.