In the golden dawn of Saturday, 12th April 2025, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium witnessed a men’s volleyball final steeped in controversy, suspense, and eventual glory. It was Accra Technical University (ATU) versus Tamale Technical University (TaTU), two giants of the Technical Universities Sports Games locked in a battle not just for gold but for honour.
But before the first serve pierced the morning air, all eyes turned to the Technical Committee, who had been directed by the Jury of Appeal to conduct a mandatory live validation of all accredited players. The stakes were high, as the integrity of the final match depended on it.
From TaTU, eleven warriors stood confirmed. Divine Yaw Dordoye, Akonatu Salifu, Ernest Nartenor, Raaj Sasa Mohammed, Abdul Wahab Ibrahim, Issah Ruhullah Abdul Razak, Muftau Wande Abubakar, Dominic Tiko Lambajia, Yakubu Baba, Umar Iddrisu, and Salman Yahaya were all validated and cleared for battle.
ATU fielded its formidable force. Hafiz Iddrisu, Mohammed Huseini Barry, Wormadey Severin Sedem Kwame, Salami Tomeito Michael, Oman Japhet, and Kunde Moses were all validated without issue. But for Ayitey Seth, the final proceeded without him.
With the tension of the pre-match drama behind them, both teams took to the court with fire in their eyes. TaTU, led by the explosive spikes of Dordoye and the blocking wall of Ibrahim, started strong. Their northern grit and synergy, fine-tuned through the tournament, were unmistakable. But ATU, undeterred by the absence of one of their own, turned adversity into fuel.
Barry’s precision serves, Sedem Kwame’s clever net play, and the leadership of Kunde Moses kept ATU in control. Salami Tomeito Michael and Hafiz Iddrisu were relentless, rallying the team with dig after dig, point after point.
In a match that swung like a pendulum, each set told a story of redemption, resistance, and resolve. But it was ATU who seized the critical moments. With a final surge of power and poise, they closed out the match in four riveting sets, three to one. Jubilation erupted as the capital side celebrated a hard-fought and well-deserved victory.
For TaTU, the loss was bitter, but their performance was gallant. From Salman Yahaya’s clutch plays to Yakubu Baba’s calm under pressure, the northern team walked off the court with pride intact and heads held high.
The 2025 men’s volleyball final might be remembered for its pre match controversy, but more enduring would be the image of student athletes who rose above the fray, competed with integrity, and showed Ghana what true sportsmanship looked like.
As the curtain fell on the volleyball courts of Cape Coast, the spirit of the Games endured, and ATU were not just champions of the court but champions of resolve.