The 50th Annual Central Zone Inter-School Sports Festival officially commenced on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Mawuli School, Ho. The event,
which brings together 14 second-cycle institutions, marks half a century of nurturing athletic talent and discipline within the Ho Municipality.
Opening the ceremony, Dr. Esther Yeboah-Adzimah, the Ho Municipal Education Director, delivered a powerful keynote refuting the idea that sports is a distraction from academics. She described the festival as "learning in motion," highlighting that student-athletes often show superior focus, time management, and academic resilience.
Key Highlights from the Opening
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Venue: Mawuli School, Ho (sole host after the Ho Sports Stadium was dropped due to financial constraints).
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Patronage: Held under Madam Benedicta A.M. Agbezudor, Chairperson of the Central Zone Sports Association.
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Scope: Four days of intensive competition in football, handball, volleyball, table tennis, basketball, netball, and athletics.
Overcoming Controversy: The Road to the 50th Edition
The 2026 festival almost didn't happen. Just days before the opening, the Volta Region Schools and Colleges Sports Federation issued a suspension notice due to funding issues and concerns over mock examinations.
However, following a swift intervention by the GES Volta Regional Directorate, the directive was rescinded on February 10, allowing the "Golden Jubilee" to proceed. To ensure the festival's future, Dr. Yeboah-Adzimah called for a shift from "emergency fundraising" to a structured sustainable funding model involving alumni and corporate partners.
Participating Schools & Early Results
Fourteen schools are battling for regional supremacy and a spot in the Inter-Zonal tournament scheduled for late March in Kpando.
| Sport | Notable Early Matchup/Result |
| Football (Boys) | Kpedze SHS beat Taviefe 4-3 on penalties (after 1-1 draw). |
| Basketball (Boys) | Mawuli School defeated Tsito SecTech 43–26. |
| Basketball (Girls) | Mawuli School beat OLA Girls 24–6. |
| Volleyball | Defending champions PROSCO and SOSTECH are the teams to watch. |
Values of the Golden Jubilee
The theme of the 50th anniversary centers on integrity and discipline. Organizers have sent a clear message to all students to avoid "hooliganism or provocation," emphasizing that "winning with humility and losing with dignity" are the true marks of a Mawulian and a champion.
"Fifty years of dreams running on our fields... when the body is disciplined, the mind follows." — Dr. Esther Yeboah-Adzimah
The Bottom Line
The 50th Central Zone Inter-School Sports Festival is a testament to the resilience of the sporting community in Ho. Despite the "sakura" (rough) state of some pitches and the last-minute funding scares, the "Golden Jubilee" is successfully identifying the next generation of regional stars.
