Southern Zone SHS 61st Inter-Schools sports festival activated after uncertainty
Senior High Schools in the Southern Zone of the Volta Region are set to host the 61st Annual Inter-Schools Sports Festival, following a period of uncertainty surrounding the organisation of this year’s competition.
The 2026 edition of the festival will be co-hosted by Anlo Senior High School (ANSECO) and Zion College (ZICO) and is scheduled to take place from Saturday, February 28, 2026, to Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Mr Paul Ocloo, the Secretary of the Southern Zone Senior High School Sports Association, disclosed this information to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during an exclusive interaction.
He said a general meeting involving representatives from the entire Volta Zone was earlier held, during which zonal elections were conducted to select new leadership for sports affairs in the Region.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for them to deliberate extensively on strategies to ensure the successful organisation of this year’s competition.
Mr Ocloo explained that although the committee initially encountered financial constraints, these challenges did not lead to the cancellation of the festival, contrary to speculations circulating on social media.
“We earlier faced some financial challenges, but those issues did not result in the cancellation of the competition as some people speculated. It is normal to encounter challenges, and what matters most is finding solutions,” he said.
He therefore assured parents, teachers, and students at the participating schools to remain calm, keep faith in the organising committee, and intensify their preparations ahead of the games.
Further checks by the GNA revealed that other zones within the Volta Region have also rescheduled their respective zonal competitions, with some already underway as part of preparations towards the Inter-Zonal Championships.
The festival will feature all ten Senior High Schools in the Southern Zone which comprises Keta and Anloga Districts
Participating schools from the Keta Municipality, are the Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO), Keta Business College (KETABUSCO), Anlo-Awoamefia Senior High School (ANYASCO), Abor Senior High School (ABORSCO), Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School (AFIASEC), Tsiame Senior High School (TSIAMESCO), and Atiavi Senior High School (ATIASEC).
Those from the Anloga District expected to participate are the Anlo Senior High School (ANSECO), Zion College (ZICO), and Volta Senior High School, Agbledomi (VOLTASCO).
The competition would include sporting disciplines for both boys and girls, such as football, volleyball, handball, basketball, table tennis, athletics, and netball (for girls only).
Athletics events would comprise sprints, middle- and long-distance races, field events such as high jump and long jump, as well as throws including shot put and javelin, among other approved events.
Physical Education instructors, coaches, and sports coordinators across the various schools have expressed their readiness, noting that training sessions are progressing steadily.
Some students engaged by GNA after their routine training sessions also expressed their confidence and excitement, stating their readiness for a competitive and enjoyable festival.
Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) has dominated the Southern Zone in recent years; however, sister schools such as ANSECO and ZICO have indicated their preparedness to mount strong challenges for the coveted honours this year.
Mr Ocloo said sports and games formed an integral part of the Senior High School curriculum as structured by the Ghana Education Service (GES), aimed at identifying and nurturing talents for future national development and personal growth.
The festival was expected to attract education officials, traditional authorities, sports enthusiasts, scouts, and other dignitaries from the Keta Municipality and Anloga District, adding to the significance of the event.
On matters of security and safety, Mr Ocloo cautioned members of the public to refrain from any form of hooliganism and instead demonstrate sportsmanship by peacefully supporting their respective schools.
He said the festival was a school-based sporting event organised primarily to promote unity, discipline, and healthy competition among students.
“This is a school sports festival and a friendly competition. Spectators are therefore advised not to take events personally or engage in any form of disorder or riotous behavior, because the security personnel will not hesitate to act,” he stated.
He disclosed that the Ghana Police Service would be deployed alongside the cadet corps of the host schools to ensure the maintenance of law and order throughout the festival.
Again, the National Ambulance Service would be on standby to provide the necessary health and emergency support to guarantee the safety of athletes, officials, and spectators.
Source:- GNA
