The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has assured the public that the senior national women’s team, the Black Queens, are safe in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite growing concerns over tensions in the Middle East.
The team, made up of local and foreign internationals, arrived in the UAE on Wednesday, February 25, to participate in the Pink Ladies Cup, a four-nation tournament featuring Russia, Hong Kong, Ghana and Tanzania.
The competition forms part of the Black Queens’ preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled for March 17 to April 3 in Morocco. Ghana has been drawn in Group D alongside Mali, Cameroon and Cape Verde.
In a communiqué dated March 2, 2026, the Ministry confirmed that the team is safe and in good condition. The statement noted that the Minister for Sports and Recreation is maintaining constant engagement with key stakeholders to closely monitor developments in the region.
These engagements involve the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Ghana’s Embassy in the UAE.
According to the Ministry, officials from the Ghanaian Embassy in the UAE have visited the team’s camp to provide direct assurances of the government’s support and commitment to their safety. The Ministry commended the Embassy for its swift response and proactive efforts to ensure the welfare of the delegation.
The statement also reaffirmed the government’s broader commitment to protecting the well-being of Ghanaian athletes representing the nation on the international stage, particularly in light of the recent strikes involving the United States and Iran.
“The situation continues to be closely monitored in collaboration with the appropriate authorities, and any necessary measures will be taken in the best interest of the team,” the communiqué stated.
Despite the regional tensions that prompted the Ministry’s clarification, the Black Queens remain focused on their campaign in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The team opened the tournament with an impressive 4–0 victory over Hong Kong and is scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The Ministry has urged the public to remain calm and continue offering support to the team as they prepare for the continental tournament.
The situation has restored calmness in Ghana.
The success of the Black Queens has been pinned to having a strong root in the Women’s Premier League, which is in contrast to the Black Stars and the Ghana Premier League.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
