Black Star Polo in South Africa: a trip to remember

Their first time abroad, their first international friendly game, their first victory. In the last week, Black Star Polo - the team founded by American coach Asante Sefa-Boakye to promote the development of waterpolo in Ghana - has reached new heights by flying to South Africa and participating in a series of training sessions and friendly games in Durban. Sefa-Boakye and his collaborators brought with them the kids who were unable to participate in the HaBaWaBa International Festival last summer due to bureaucratic obstacles related to granting entry visas to Italy, together with other older players.  "Waterpolo was part of a larger initiative regarding water safety promoted by the Prince Charleen of Monaco Foundation and local clubs such as Siyasindisa Academy. In addition to training, kids took part in some clinics on water safety livesaving”, Sefa-Boakye tells Waterpolo Development. In order to travel to South Africa, he changed the destination of tickets Black Star Polo did not use last year to come to Italy. “The boys traveled abroad for the first time in their lives and they did it to play waterpolo. This trip let them rediscover their enthusiasm after last year's disappointment, when they were unable to participate in the HaBaWaBa International Festival”. 

The moment of greatest enthusiasm is obviously linked to waterpolo... In the swimming pool of the Durban High School a Black Star Polo team formed by 9 little waterpolo players between the ages of 13 and 10 faced in a friendly game boys slightly older of the Elite Waterpolo Academy team, gaining a stunning 6-5 victory: in their own small way, kids of Black Star Polo achieved a historic result, obtaining the first success of Ghanaian waterpolo in an international match, even if it was unofficial. "It was extraordinary, for Black Star Polo this is a very important goal. Before the game the coach of the opposing team, the South African international Dylan Cronje, had asked his players to take it easy on us, but at the end of the first quarter he changed his mind: ‘Wait a minute... you guys are good!’, he said. Our kids were very happy even if they didn't cheer for long outside the pool: the temperature in South Africa is decidedly lower than in Ghana and they weren't used to that kind of cold”.  The older Black Star Polo players then played another mixed team friendly game against Siyasindisa Academy, who won 7-4. "Everyone we met in South Africa was extraordinary - Sefa-Boakye commented -. As for us, the whole experience was very important for Black Star Polo and Ghanaian waterpolo, which once again showed its potential. We are rebuilding confidence after the disappointment of missing the trip to Italy last year and South Africa was motivating”. 

Next goal of Black Star Polo is the HaBaWaBa International Festival: the Ghanaian team is registered for the U12 tournament in Lignano Sabbiadoro, but its participation is linked to the players obtaining entry visas and raising enough funds in order to fly to Italy. Sefa-Boakye is looking for sponsors, but anyone can contribute via the Black Star Polo page on the GoFundMe platform.

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