Track stars ready to battle at Dean Hayes Memorial International Championship

Ghana’s athletics community is gearing up for one of the most important competitions on the national calendar as the Dean Hayes Memorial International Classic takes centre stage on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra.

The one-day event, officially designated as a Ghana Athletics National Championships competition, is expected to attract the country’s top athletes alongside invited international competitors in a celebration of elite track and field excellence.

The championship carries significant importance beyond the crowning of national champions. Organisers have positioned the competition as the final local qualification opportunity for athletes seeking selection to represent Ghana at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as the World Athletics U20 Championships.

With national team places still up for grabs, athletes will be under pressure to deliver their best performances when competition begins at the stadium running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring a packed schedule of track and field events.

Athletes who have earned invitations through their performances during the domestic season will compete for national honors while also chasing qualification standards and selection benchmarks.

The stakes are particularly high as performances recorded at the meet will serve as the final local marks considered before Ghana Athletics finalizes its teams for major international assignments.

Beyond the elite competitions, the event will also showcase the future of Ghanaian athletics through exciting secondary school relay races. The programme includes the 4x100m Secondary School Championship relays for Under-18 and Under-20 boys and girls, providing a platform for emerging talent to compete before a national audience. These races are expected to add youthful energy and fierce competition to an already exciting programme.

One of the most anticipated attractions of the day will be the Greater Accra SHS Bragging Rights Relay, which will feature eight selected schools from the capital.

The relay competition is expected to reignite long-standing rivalries among some of the region’s leading schools, offering athletes and supporters an opportunity to compete not only for victory but also for pride and bragging rights.

The championship is held in honor of the late Coach Dean Hayes (1937–2022), a legendary figure in athletics whose influence extended far beyond the United States.

Hayes led the track and field programme at Middle Tennessee State University for 56 years and played a significant role in the development of numerous Ghanaian athletes. His enduring relationship with Ghana Athletics and his commitment to nurturing talent have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire generations of athletes and coaches.

Organisers believe the Dean Hayes Memorial International Championship will not only provide a fitting tribute to an iconic coach but also deliver a high-quality sporting spectacle for fans and stakeholders.

Start lists and official results will be published through Ghana Athletics and SeedAfrique platforms, while media inquiries can be directed to gha@mf.worldathletics.org.

The event is expected to draw athletics enthusiasts from across the country as Ghana’s finest athletes make one final push toward international representation in 2026.