Her grandfather said no. Now he tells her, “You can do it.”
At nine, Joanita Borteye thought table tennis was for boys. Her grandfather did not want her to play. Five years later, the 14-year-old from Nungua is preparing to represent Ghana at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, with the man who once opposed her dream now cheering her on.
Joanita Borteye's passion for table tennis began when she was just nine years old. She would watch children in her neighborhood play on a small board, and soon moved on to a full-sized table. A coach noticed her interest and offered her a chance to join the group. Though she was hesitant, fearing it was a boy's game, the coach reassured her that girls could play too.
He even offered to speak to her parents about it. In 2021, Borteye began training, and in 2022, she participated in a national youth competition in Ghana, winning gold in the under-12 category. Back home, her grandfather initially opposed her participation, but after her success, he began to support her. Today, Borteye, now 14, is preparing to represent Ghana at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Her journey has been marked by national titles, continental gold, and training in China. Balancing school and training proved challenging, but her coach, Cynthia Kwabi, supported her and helped her manage both responsibilities. Borteye has shown remarkable dedication and discipline in her training, and her results at various tournaments have put her in competition with older and more experienced players.
In December 2025, she participated in the International Table Tennis Federation's Global Youth Training Camp in Chengdu, China, where she improved significantly. With her improved skills and experience, Borteye is now set to represent Ghana at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
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