Coach Leonard Myles-Mills has urged Ghanaians and the government to rally behind the country’s emerging female sprinters after their impressive bronze medal performance at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.

The respected coach made the passionate appeal after Ghana’s young women’s 4x100m relay team defied expectations to secure bronze against more experienced opposition at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Among the standout names in the team were Gladys Boateng (Gaza) and Aisha Jaffar (Odo Broni), two senior high school athletes who have rapidly risen through the ranks after attracting attention earlier in 2026 during school competitions and international meets.

Despite their talents, Myles-Mills revealed that the young athletes entered the competition battling nerves and self-doubt ahead of the race.

African Athletics: Ghana's young relay team wins bronze in women's 4x100m final

“We had to speak to them the evening before the race because they were scared and lacked confidence,” he shared.

According to the coach, many people doubted whether the teenagers could hold their own against elite senior athletes on the continental stage.

“There was no belief that they could even compete with these seniors,” he said.

However, the quartet rose to the occasion and delivered a podium finish for Ghana, an achievement Myles-Mills believes should mark the beginning of greater investment and support.

“They are the future of Ghana athletics and I plead with everyone, including the government, not to abandon them,” he added.

The coach also appealed to the public to continue encouraging the athletes and speaking positively about them as they develop.

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