On any given evening, as the campus winds down, a group of students at KNUST is just gearing up. They lace up their sneakers and take their positions on the handball court beside University Hall.

For them, handball is more than just a game, it’s a community, a challenge, a passion, and the thrill of pursuing excellence together.

Sarpong Johnson, a first-year Geography student, recalls how his handball journey began in Junior High School.

“My passion for handball started way back in JHS, but I was too tiny to get the chance to play,” he reflects.

Hoping to finally join the team in Senior High School, Johnson faced an unexpected hurdle: the Covid-19 pandemic, which put a halt to all physical gatherings.

“When I got to SHS, it was the corona era, so we couldn’t organize any sporting activities at school,” he says.

By his second year, Johnson began playing with the team and quickly discovered his natural talent for the sport.

“I decided to learn more about it,” he shares. “In 2022, inter-school games were cancelled for reasons unknown, but we came back and trained even harder.”

The following year, Johnson was selected to represent his school, and they secured second place in the competition. He was also awarded Best Player of the Tournament.

“That’s when I decided to join the club when I came to campus. This is my first training session, and I love it here,” he says with a smile.

Mariam, a third-year Sociology student, was introduced to handball by her Physical Education (P.E.) tutor in Primary 6, sparking her interest in the sport. However, she eventually stepped away from the game.

“I played until I reached SHS, but I tried to quit because my dad asked me to. “I didn’t feel right when I stopped because I lost a part of myself. I begged him and eventually returned to the court. I’ve been playing ever since,” she explains.

Mariam went on to represent her school during inter-school competitions and later played for KNUST in the GUSA games.

The team’s motto, “Una-Mente - One Mind,” reflects their strong sense of unity. Despite the repetitive passes and throws, which increase the risk of injury, the team refuses to quit.

Their energy is fuelled by background music, keeping the atmosphere alive every Friday and Saturday. The KNUST handball team proudly stands tall, representing the university on every platform.

Ashanti Atta Al-Hafid, the team captain, shares that the team is currently training for the upcoming GUSA Games in 2026.

“We are also preparing for some friendly matches to improve our coordination,” he adds.

The team, made up of both undergraduate and postgraduate students, is committed to their goal of excellence.

One of their mentors, Latif Carew, a graduate and former player. Mr. Carew joined the team in 2018 and represented KNUST in both the 2020 and 2022 GUSA games, earning medals for the school. Since then, he has remained a dedicated member of this remarkable team. He describes handball as an “educational sport.”

He ensures that the team excels not only on the court but also academically.

“Once you’re on campus and taking up a sporting activity, you need to take your education seriously,” he emphasizes.