Ashanti Region, Ghana – The second edition of the Rugby League Rising Stars tournament lit up Otumfuo Park on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as young athletes from six communities showcased their talent and passion for rugby league. The event, which continues to grow as a cornerstone of grassroots development in Ghana, saw fierce competition across the Primary Boys, JHS Boys, and JHS Girls divisions.
In the Primary Boys Division, four schools participated: Akrofrom D/A Primary, Akrowa D/A Primary, Mowire D/A Primary, and Aduamoa D/A Primary. Akrofrom narrowly defeated Akrowa 1-0, while Mowire overcame Aduamoa by the same scoreline to reach the final. The final ended in a 0-0 draw, and Akrofrom emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in a penalty shootout.

The Junior High School (JHS) Girls Division featured six teams divided into two groups. Group A included Mowire D/A JHS (5pts) , Kyerekrom D/A JHS (4pts) , and Aduamoa D/A JHS (0pts), while Group B was made up of Akrowa D/A JHS (4pts), Aduman D/A JHS(2pts), and Akrofrom D/A JHS(1pt). After an exciting group stage, Mowire and Akrowa advanced to the fi nals. A goalless match led to a penalty shootout, where Mowire triumphed 1-0 to claim the JHS Girls title.

In the JHS Boys Division, Group A featured Akrofrom D/A JHS (4pts), Akrowa D/A JHS (2pts), and Aduman D/A JHS (1pts). Group B comprised Kyerekrom D/A JHS (4pts), Mowire D/A JHS (2pts), and Aduamoa D/A JHS (1pts). Akrofrom and Kyerekrom qualifi ed for the fi nal, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Akrofrom secured their second trophy of the day by winning 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Rugby League: Building from the Ground Up
Speaking after the event, Jafaru Awudu Mustapha, General Manager of the Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG), emphasized the importance of early engagement in rugby league.

"It's essential that we engage with the youth early, helping them grasp the fundamentals of the game so we can nurture their growth and develop the sport from the ground up."

He noted that the Rising Stars tournament is igniting a strong passion for rugby league among young players, helping to build the future of the sport in Ghana.

Director General Commends the Initiative
Also sharing his thoughts, Mr. David Akomeah Asokwah, Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the Afi gya Kwabre South District, commended the Federation’s work:
“The Federation has brought this exciting sport to our doorstep, and as someone who has always been passionate about sports, we as a district have embraced it wholeheartedly. We believe in giving our young people the opportunity to play and learn something new—something that can help them better themselves and build their personal portfolio in the future.”

He concluded by encouraging the students to stay committed to the journey:
“I urge our young players to stay committed to the sport. Don’t stop halfway. If you give up, you gain nothing. But if you stay on the path, there is much to benefit.”

Dignitaries in Attendance
The tournament was graced by a number of dignitaries who added prestige and support to the occasion. These included Mr. David Akomeah Asokwah, Director General of GES for Afi gya Kwabre South; staff members of the Afi gya Kwabre South GES; Mr. Jafaru Awudu Mustapha, General Manager of the Rugby League Federation Ghana; Mr. Marshall Nortey, Technical Director of RLFG; Mr. Riddick Alibah, Greater Accra Regional Head of RLFG; and Ms. Hilaria Wuaku, Communications Officer of RLFG.

Participating Schools
The Junior High School teams that participated in the tournament included Akrofrom D/A JHS, Akrowa D/A JHS, Aduman D/A JHS, Aduamoa D/A JHS, Kyerekrom D/A JHS, and Mowire D/A JHS. The Primary School teams were Akrofrom D/A Primary, Akrowa D/A Primary, Mowire D/A Primary, and Aduamoa D/A Primary.

About the Rising Stars Tournament
The Rugby League Rising Stars tournament is an initiative aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting rugby league in schools across Ghana. The competition has quickly established itself as a vital platform for youth development and community engagement through sport.