SALAGA, Ghana — The future of rugby in northern Ghana received a major boost on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as the Regional Youth Rugby 7s Tournament brought together some of the region’s most promising young talents at the Salaga Astro Turf.
Jointly organised by the Northern Region Rugby Association (NRRA) and the Savannah Region Rugby Association (SRRA), the tournament provided a vibrant platform for young athletes to compete, develop their skills and experience the values of discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship that define rugby.
The competition featured action in the U16 and U18 boys’ divisions, alongside an important showcase of women’s rugby, underlining the growing commitment to expanding the sport beyond traditional boundaries and creating opportunities for young female athletes.
The Salaga Astro Turf provided an energetic setting as players displayed determination, physicality and technical ability throughout a competitive day of rugby.
Salaga and Northern Lions Share the Spotlight
In the U18 boys’ category, the Northern Lions opened their campaign with a 10–0 victory over Salaga Rugby Club, demonstrating a strong defensive structure and clinical execution.
Salaga Rugby Club responded impressively in the U16 division, defeating Northern Lions 5–0 before Northern Lions drew 5–5 with Kingdom FC in another closely contested encounter.
The girls’ division produced one of the day’s most significant moments, with Salaga Rugby Club and Northern Lions playing out a goalless draw.
Although the match ended without a score, the performance of the young female players was a powerful indication of the potential of women’s rugby in northern Ghana.
Salaga Rugby Club and Kingdom FC later shared the spoils in another 5–5 draw, while the U18 competition concluded with Salaga Rugby Club recording a convincing 15–5 victory over Jakpa Rugby Club.
Official Match Results
- U18 Boys: Salaga Rugby Club 0–10 Northern Lions
- U16 Boys: Salaga Rugby Club 5–0 Northern Lions
- U16 Boys: Kingdom FC 5–5 Northern Lions
- Girls Division: Salaga Rugby Club 0–0 Northern Lions
- U16 Boys: Salaga Rugby Club 5–5 Kingdom FC
- U18 Boys: Jakpa Rugby Club 5–15 Salaga Rugby Club
Beyond the results, the tournament represented something far more significant: an investment in the next generation of Ghanaian rugby players.
The participation of young women was particularly encouraging, with the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) commending the players of Salaga Rugby Club and Northern Lions for their discipline, determination and standout performances.
The GRFU said the display reflects the steady progress of its national development initiatives aimed at widening participation in rugby and creating greater opportunities for women and girls in sport.
Building Rugby from the Grassroots
For Ghana Rugby, tournaments such as the Regional Youth Rugby 7s are central to building a sustainable pathway for the sport.
By taking competitive rugby to communities and regional centres, young athletes are given the opportunity to discover their potential, gain valuable match experience and develop the foundations required to progress to higher levels of the game.
The Salaga tournament also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between regional rugby associations, clubs, technical teams, volunteers and other stakeholders in strengthening the sport at grassroots level.
The GRFU expressed its appreciation to the NRRA and SRRA, participating clubs, players, volunteers, technical and medical teams, as well as Global Pure Water, the event sponsor, for their contribution to the success of the tournament.
As rugby continues to expand across Ghana, the scenes witnessed at the Salaga Astro Turf offer an encouraging glimpse of what lies ahead.
From the boys competing for regional honours to the young women breaking new ground on the rugby field, the message from Salaga was clear: northern Ghana possesses a growing pool of talent, and with sustained investment and opportunity, that talent can become a powerful force in the future of Ghanaian rugby.
The journey may have begun at the grassroots, but for many of these young players, Salaga could be the first chapter of a much bigger rugby story.