Three years ago, 10-year-old Shiela Akolgo picked up a table tennis bat out of curiosity, never imagining that the simple act would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Today, at just 13 years old, she has emerged as one of Ghana’s brightest young talents, earning recognition as the country’s second-ranked U-12 player and taking confident strides onto the continental stage.
Shiela’s rapid rise through the ranks earned her a place at the prestigious 2026 Africa Hopes Week & Challenge in Accra, where she trained alongside Africa’s most promising young players under the guidance of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) experts. Her impressive performances there secured her selection for Ghana’s squad at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, where she competed in the U-15 category despite being younger than many of her opponents.
A pupil at Jesus Glory International School in Accra, Shiela’s journey began hundreds of kilometres away in Bolgatanga, the capital of Ghana’s Upper East Region.
“I lived with my parents in Bolgatanga. It’s about 24 hours by road to Accra,” she recalled.
Her introduction to table tennis came through a family friend she affectionately calls “uncle.” Recognising her potential, he brought her to Accra, where she now lives and trains, giving her the opportunity to practise twice every day.
“I fell in love with table tennis, and I don’t think I can do any other sport,” she said with a smile.
Representing Ghana at the Borteyman Sports Complex during her first international competition was a dream come true. Although victories were hard to come by against Africa’s elite youngsters, Shiela views the experience as priceless.
“Playing against some of the best players in Africa has opened my eyes to new techniques. It was the best moment of my life,” she said proudly.
Her commitment to success is reflected in a disciplined daily routine. Shiela wakes up at 5:00 a.m. for morning training before heading to school. After classes, she completes her household chores before returning for another training session that stretches until 8:00 p.m.
Despite the demanding schedule, she believes table tennis has positively influenced every aspect of her life.
“Table tennis has helped me manage my time and boosted my confidence in my studies,” she explained.
Her achievements have also earned her admiration at school, where classmates proudly celebrate her success after watching her collect medals at national tournaments.
Like many young athletes, Shiela has someone she looks up to. Her role model is fellow Rising Star Foundation player Joanita Borteye, one of Ghana’s most accomplished young table tennis stars.
“Joanita has won several medals and competed internationally. She inspires us because she is talented, friendly and successful. We want to achieve what she has,” Shiela said.
One of the defining moments of her young career came at the Otumfuo Smash I Table Tennis Tournament in Kumasi. There, she finished as runner-up in the Hopes U-12 girls’ category after a thrilling 3-2 defeat to Lovely Akua. Although she narrowly missed out on the title, the performance proved pivotal, earning her selection to Team Ghana for the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra.
From the streets of Bolgatanga to the training halls of Accra, Shiela Akolgo’s journey is a remarkable story of determination, sacrifice and unwavering passion. With every tournament, she continues to grow in confidence and experience, proving that age is no barrier to ambition.
At just 13 years old, Shiela is already inspiring the next generation of young athletes. If her remarkable progress over the past three years is any indication, Ghana’s rising “queen of the table” is only beginning to write what promises to be an exceptional sporting story.