HOMOWO NATIONAL OPEN RETURNS IN GRAND STYLE
The streets of Accra are buzzing once again as tradition and table tennis are set to collide at the Homowo National Open, a tournament that unites sport and culture during the iconic Homowo Festival.
This year’s edition, which will be staged at the D.G. Hathiramani Sports Hall at the Accra Sports Stadium, where 281 players from across Ghana rally for glory in a competition that has grown into one of the country’s most exciting national sporting events.
Organized by the Greater Accra Table Tennis Association (GATTA), with supervision and support of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), this year’s Open marks a revival of competitive spirit after a period of absence. The event stands as both a celebration of Ghana’s rich cultural traditions and a showcase of the nation’s growing table tennis talent.
The Homowo Open traces its roots to 2006, when the maiden edition—the DHL Ga Homowo Open, brought together over 100 players at the Borstal Institute. Since then, the tournament has produced a roll call of champions, from Mohammed Ali and Celia Baah-Danso in the early years, to international winners like Nigeria’s Sunday Ayodele, andÂstars such as Emmanuel Commey and Eva Adom Amankwaa.
The competition has grown both in numbers and prestige. The 2021 Championship attracted sponsorship from Stanbic Bank and KFC. 2023 witnessed Celia Baah-Danso dethroning her Armed Forces teammate Eva Adom Amankwaa in front of a lively crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Homowo Festival commemorates the Ga people’s triumph over famine and celebrates the bounty of harvest. Just like the traditional feast of kpokpoi, the table tennis tournament has become an integral part of the festivities—bridging sport, culture, and community pride.
For many young players, the Homowo Open is a stage where dreams take flight; the case of the then 13-year-old Emmanuella Yaa Kyere, who dazzled in 2021, reflects the tournament’s role in developing future stars for Ghana.
This year’s Homowo National Open promises fierce battles, unstoppable rallies, and unforgettable stories.
With 281 competitors stepping up to the table, the event reinforces its place as one of Ghana’s largest and most culturally significant sporting gatherings.
As GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu has often emphasized, the tournament is more than just a competition—it’s a platform for nurturing champions, promoting cultural identity, and strengthening Ghana’s position in the global table tennis community.
On Saturday August 30, 2025, when the first ball is served at the D.G. Hathiramani Sports Hall, it will mark not just another tournament, but the continuation of a proud legacy—where heritage and sport smash together in celebration.
By: Apelles Addy, Ghana Table Tennis Association.