ACCRA HOCKEY STADIUM

Accra Hockey Stadium

The game of hockey in Ghana as it is widely called among other sporting disciplines as  ‘lesser known sport’s or the exalted name ‘less financed sports’ yet was one of the most deep-rooted sports in the country could not boast of even one standard stadium until 2009 when it took The Late President Prof. J. E. A. Mills’ government and his intervention for the construction of State- of- the-Art Hockey Stadium to host an international event.

The newly constructed Hockey stadium in Accra named after the woman affectionately nicknamed “Joan of Arc of Ghana Sports” by the late affable Sports Director Ohene Djan- Mrs Theodosia Okoh  is a powerful landmark facility combining dynamic authentically pleasing architecture with a modern water based pitch.

The 1,200-seating capacity stadium was built to host the 11-day Africa Cup Hockey Tournament. The newly constructed Hockey Stadium located between the main vehicular transport terminal in Central Accra popularly known as Tema Station and the headquarters of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has state of -the- art water based pitch constructed and installed with the synthetic turf product, Edel Triple T EL System by a Belgium based grass experts, Edel Grass.

The installed hockey pitch was tested by an International Hockey Federation accredited laboratory and found to comply with all the performance requirements established by this federation for the conduct of world level hockey competitions, specified international competitions and national hockey competitions.

An approach from the roads bordering the stadium from the Western and Northern ends brings visitors to a security post and two other entrances for spectators. There is provision for 4 ticketing rooms. From the car park one sees the imposing V.I.P. building. The stadium has a three floor V.I.P. structure with hostel facilities for visiting and host teams alike with four (4) players changing rooms with a capacity of 22 each.

With this fascinating state of-the-art edifice in the country, it’s expected that the game progresses for the nation to win more laurels at the international stage. 

Water-base Pitch

The Joan of Arc of Ghana Hockey- Mrs Theodosia Salome Okoh

Mrs. Theodosia S. Okoh

Mrs. Theodosia Okoh, the Octogerian artist, may be famous for designing the national flag of Ghana, but sports lovers will remember her for the pioneering role she played in popularizing the game of hockey in the country.

Mrs. Theodosia Okoh was born to in 1922 to Very Rev. Emmanuel  Victor Asihene and Madam Dora Ahensihene, both from Enyum in the Eastern part of Ghana .  She attended school at Asante Effiduase and later Basel Mission Girls School at Agogo. She later became a teacher and taught briefly at Kukurantumi and later took an examination in Arts which gradually led her into her career.

Married to the then Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. E.K.Okoh , the keen hockey enthusiast was able to convince the husband to use his influence at the government headquarters to keep the site very much against the wishes of town planners who had earmarked the area for the construction of government offices.

At this time, the national cricket oval near the Black Star Square had been destroyed to accommodate the Volta River Authority and Electricity Corporation head offices. The Accra Great Olympics Park adjacent to the Ambassador Hotel had been taken over by high office complex including the Hall of Technology.

Mrs. Okoh had insisted that the only way to generate interest in the relatively unknown hockey was to bring it near the people. The Makola market was just around the corner and curious traders and shoppers were gradually attracted to steal a glance to see the game of hockey being played in that busy area of Accra.

Today, the Accra hockey grounds now has received a facelift that can boast of a water-base pitch, dressing rooms, hostel facilities and spectator stands that hosts international competitions thanks to the early struggle of this noble and fearless woman for the game of hockey in Ghana.

She believes in families a lot and also a firm believer in hard work and exemplary life. Her watch       words are doing things in perfection and  in a manner that would reap benefits in the future.