Young female athletes at the 35th Inter-Regional Basic School Sports Festival have been challenged to “go high” in both sport and education, as female faculty members of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies (PESS), University of Ghana, inspired them to embrace discipline, self-belief and education as they work towards becoming future champions and leaders.
The mentorship outreach, held at the female athletes’ camp at Achimota School, formed part of the broader objectives of the festival, which was held under the theme, “35 Years of Sporting Excellence: Shaping Leaders, Inspiring National Unity and Developing Future Champions.” The engagement brought together PESS faculty, young athletes and their chaperones to explore confidence, personal development, mentorship and the importance of balancing sporting pursuits with academic achievement.
1st from right: Prof. Annabella Osei-Tutu, Head, Department of PESS, interacting with the participants
Speaking at the beginning of the engagement, the Head of the Department of PESS, Prof. Annabella Osei-Tutu, urged the girls to believe in themselves, work hard and aspire to the highest levels of achievement. She stressed that discipline, confidence and education were essential to building successful sporting and professional careers.
The session soon turned into an energetic display of confidence and solidarity as the faculty called, “Go High!” and the girls responded, “Higher! Higher!” The excitement peaked with the final rallying cry, “Go Girls!”, which drew an enthusiastic, “For the Ultimate!”
A cross-section of participants
Beyond the chants, the faculty encouraged the athletes to take their studies seriously, respect their coaches and teachers, care for their bodies and cultivate the discipline required to succeed both on and off the field.
The faculty also highlighted sport as a potential pathway to higher education, leadership, coaching, professional sport and other career opportunities, adding that education and sport should be viewed as complementary pathways to personal and professional success.
The engagement with the chaperones further underscored the importance of supportive environments in helping young girls develop academically, socially and athletically.
Hosted by the Greater Accra Region, the 35th Inter-Regional Basic School Sports Festival brought together young athletes from all 16 regions of Ghana, providing a national platform for them to compete, develop their talents and build friendships while promoting national unity and nurturing future champions.
A cross-section of participants
For PESS, the outreach added a meaningful dimension to the festival’s theme by reinforcing the Department’s commitment to using physical education, sport and mentorship to empower young people, to realise their full potential.
The Department expressed its appreciation to the National PE Coordinator, Mr. Michael Ayeh, for providing the opportunity for the faculty to engage with and inspire the young female athletes.
The message from the PESS faculty was clear: the journey to sporting excellence begins with ambition, discipline and self-belief, but true success lies in developing the whole person. As the girls echoed throughout the camp, the goal is not merely to go high, but to go higher and ultimately strive for the ultimate.