Winneba Hunters crowned champions of IOM National Netball Championship

Winneba Hunters have been crowned champions of the IOM National Netball Championship after defeating Accra-based Spice Girls in the final at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The victory marked a memorable occasion for the Hunters, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Blazing Hands finished third, while Generations Netball Academy placed fourth in the competition, which brought together teams from across the country.

The championship was organised under the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ghana’s Addressing Trafficking in Sports Project, using sport as a platform to promote safe and inclusive sporting environments while raising awareness of the risks of trafficking and exploitation among young athletes.

Winneba Hunters coach Yusuf Suleman Alhassan expressed his delight after guiding his team to the title, praising the organisation of the competition.

"I'm so happy for winning this tournament. This is a first class well-organised tournament and I'm happy that Winneba Hunters have won," he said.

Hunters' Sita Esinam Amamoo Mensah was named Best Player of the tournament, capping an impressive campaign with individual recognition to accompany her team's triumph.

She said the victory was particularly special as the club celebrates a decade of existence.

"We are very proud of ourselves and our sponsors out there. For Hunters, this is our 10th anniversary so we're happy we've won this tournament to celebrate the anniversary," she said.

Amamoo Mensah added that she had expected to win the individual award and expressed gratitude to her coach.

Ernestina Abeyin Nkrumah of Blazing Hands won the Best Shooter award, while Winneba Hunters' Doctor Yayra claimed the Goal of the Tournament prize.

Beyond the competition, the event provided an opportunity to discuss the future of netball in Ghana and the importance of protecting athletes pursuing opportunities abroad.

Ghana Olympic Committee President Richard Akpokavie challenged the Netball Federation of Ghana to begin preparations towards qualifying for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India.

"Starting from today the Netball Federation of Ghana should be at qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in 2030 in India. So you must start working from today to get the talent, good coaching then we can work towards qualifying for the Commonwealth Games," he noted.

IOM representative Elsie Afia Owusu urged athletes to exercise caution when presented with contracts and opportunities to compete overseas, stressing the importance of safe and regular migration pathways.

"For IOM our focus is on safe, orderly and regular migration so in as much as you're all sportswomen, when you want to travel to go and continue your sports, make sure you're going through the right, regular, safe and orderly pathways," she urged.

Owusu also advised athletes to read and understand contracts before signing them, warning that trafficking remains a concern in sports.

The two-day championship at the Accra Sports Stadium combined competitive netball with a broader message on athlete welfare, highlighting the need for stronger pathways for talent development and greater protection for young sportswomen.