Young women from across Ghana have taken part in what organisers describe as a “transformative” basketball and leadership summit in Accra, aimed at reshaping the future of women’s sport and mental health awareness in the country.
The U23 3×3 Women’s Summit 2026, held from 18 to 19 July at the Kawukudi Basketball Court, brought together emerging female players for two days of competition, skills training and wellbeing-focused workshops.
The event was jointly organised by US-based Access Your Game (AYG) Training Academy and Ghanaian NGO Dunk Grassroots, with a clear mission: to increase female participation in organised basketball while equipping players with tools for life beyond the court.
Basketball, leadership and wellbeing in focus
The summit centred on a U23 women’s 3×3 basketball tournament, supported by a range of off-court activities including skills clinics, mental health and wellness sessions, leadership discussions, yoga, team-building exercises and recognition for standout participants.
Founder and owner of Access Your Game Training Academy, Britnea Moore, said the initiative was designed to reach far beyond sport itself.
She described the programme as a transformative experience for the young athletes, combining competition with education on mental health, mindfulness and overall wellbeing through movement and breathing exercises.
Moore said the event provided a crucial platform to showcase the talent of young female basketball players in Ghana, while introducing them to practices that support their emotional resilience and personal growth.
Her academy, she stressed, is focused on grassroots player development and emphasises “consistency, repetition and discipline” as key to success both on and off the court.
Pushing women’s basketball into the spotlight
For Dunk Grassroots Ghana, the summit is part of a long-term campaign to change the landscape of women’s basketball in the country.
Relations Manager of Dunk Grassroots, Bismark Voegborlo, said the idea was born out of frustration with the “limited attention traditionally given to women’s basketball compared to the men’s game”.
He said the event provided a rare, structured platform for young women to display their ability while introducing more players to the rapidly growing 3×3 format of the game, which is now an Olympic discipline.
Voegborlo expressed confidence that many of the participants could eventually compete at international level, arguing that the simplicity and accessibility of 3×3 basketball make it a powerful pathway for discovering and nurturing talent.
He also outlined ambitions to stage more 3×3 tournaments, expand opportunities for players to participate in overseas tours and host what he described as Africa’s first-ever 3×3 Lite Quest tournament in Accra.
Ten teams, ten-minute games
Project Coordinator at Dunk Grassroots, Mia George, said ten teams contested the summit’s 3×3 competition, which uses a fast-paced format where matches last ten minutes or end when one side reaches 21 points.
She credited strong turnout and engagement to Dunk’s continued investment in the women’s game, particularly through its Women’s Sports Festival, which she said has helped to create a welcoming and supportive environment for female athletes.
George characterised 3×3 basketball as an “exciting, high-intensity” version of the sport that demands speed, stamina and close teamwork. She said the young women embraced the challenge with enthusiasm while clearly enjoying the atmosphere and experience.
Eyes on international opportunities
Moore said she is committed to returning to Ghana to continue investing in young female athletes, with the hope that many will gain opportunities to advance their basketball careers abroad, especially in the United States.
She also announced that the winning team at the summit would receive a pair of basketball shoes, symbolising both achievement and the next step in their sporting journey.
Organisers say the success of the U23 3×3 Women’s Summit 2026 underlines growing interest in women’s basketball in Ghana and signals a shift towards a more inclusive, holistic approach to player development one that blends technical ability with leadership, mental health awareness and personal development.
