Ghana’s national phygital basketball team, a project of the Ghana Esports Federation (GESF), will travel to the United Arab Emirates later this month to take part in the Games of the Future, an annual international tournament that fuses physical sport with digital gaming.
The four players and three officials will represent Ghana from 17 to 24 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, joining more than 100 nations and over 2,000 spectators at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The phygital basketball discipline, known as “Phygital Basketball. 3on3 FreeStyle,” pits two‑player clubs against each other in two weighted stages: a digital round played on the latest licensed version of “3on3 FreeStyle: Rebound” and a physical 2‑on‑2 match on a standard 3‑x‑3 court.
Scores from the digital stage carry over to the physical stage, with the combined total deciding the winner; the overall prize pool for the discipline is $400 000. The format demands both sharp esports strategy and athletic skill, making it a true test of a new breed of hybrid athletes.
GESF President Mr Igor Boumekpo stressed the historic nature of Ghana’s participation, noting that the country is one of only two African nations competing in phygital basketball this year.
Their preparation has been backed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, National Sports Authority, which has provided funding and diplomatic assistance to ensure the contingent arrives well‑equipped and ready to compete.
The Ghana Esports Federation’s partnership with the World Phygital Community further strengthens Ghana’s foothold in this emerging sporting arena.
With over Sixteen (16) teams participating, Ghana has been scheduled to take on the USA in their opening encounter.
