Ga Mantse Tennis Open launched; Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan set for exhibition match
The maiden edition of the Ga Mantse Tennis Open Tournament has been officially launched at the Ga Traditional Council, Ga Mantse Palace in North Kaneshie, Accra, with former Black Stars captains Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan announced as special guest attractions.
The launch ceremony, held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, was presided over by the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who formally declared the tournament open before delighting guests with a demonstration of his tennis skills.
One of the major highlights of the tournament will be a special exhibition tennis match featuring Ghana football legends Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan. The friendly encounter is scheduled to take place at the Frank Ofori Centre Court of the Accra Sports Stadium, with the date to be announced by organisers.
The tournament will feature men's and women's singles competitions, a wheelchair tennis event, and a colourful funfair involving traditional leaders, celebrities, and other distinguished guests.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer of GeNet, Ms. Gina Nettey, said the Ga Mantse Tennis Open was conceived to create opportunities for young people while contributing to the growth of tennis in Ghana.
President of the Ghana Tennis Federation, Isaac Aboagye Duah, welcomed the addition of the tournament to the country's tennis calendar, expressing optimism that it would provide players and officials with another platform to showcase their abilities and strive for excellence.
Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, described tennis as one of the world's most rewarding sports, ranking behind only Formula One and golf in terms of financial opportunities. He expressed hope that the tournament would inspire more Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to take up the sport.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Chief of Staff at the Ga Mantse Palace, Madam Julia Naa Yarley Adjei Amoah, stressed the importance of encouraging girls to actively participate in sports, particularly tennis.
She noted that the sport helps develop discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking among young people while promoting healthy lifeclasss and personal development.
Veteran tennis administrator and coach Peter Annan, popularly known as "Grandmaster," also praised the initiative, describing it as a significant step in raising the profile of tennis in Ghana. He commended King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II for championing the sport and lauded the organisers for promoting tennis among students and young athletes.
Students from St. Mary's Senior High School, Accra Wesley Girls' Senior High School, and Labone Senior High School attended the launch ceremony, underscoring the event's emphasis on youth engagement.
The tournament has received support from several corporate and institutional partners, including the National Sports Authority, Ghana Tourism Authority, Blue Skies, Peeva, and Decathlon.
Organised as part of the 2026 Homowo Festival celebrations, the Ga Mantse Tennis Open seeks to harness the power of sport to strengthen community unity, promote youth development, and boost sports tourism across the Ga State and Ghana.