Ampe (game) facts for kids

Two girls playing Ampe

Ampe is a super fun and energetic game that kids often play! It started in Ghana and is now popular in many nearby countries too. The best part? You don't need any special equipment to play, just two or more friends!

More girls playing Ampe

How to Play Ampe

Ampe is easy to learn and exciting! Here's how it works:

• Two players stand facing each other. One player is the "leader."
• They both jump up at the same time.
• While jumping, they clap their hands.
• As they land, each player quickly puts one foot forward.
• If both players put the same foot forward (like both left feet, or both right feet), the leader wins a point!
• If they put different feet forward (one left, one right), then the other player becomes the new leader.

Playing with More Friends

• If you have a big group, you can play in a circle or a line.
• The leader will play against each person in the circle or line, one by one.
• When the leader wins a point, they keep playing against the next person.
• If the leader loses (different feet), the person who beat them becomes the new leader!

Playing with Just Two People

• If only two people are playing, they just keep score.
• The first player to reach a certain number of points (like 10 or 20) wins the game!

Ampe Tournaments

Ampe isn't just a playground game; it's also played in organized competitions!

• An organization called Be-Great Promotions in Ghana helps promote cultural games like Ampe.
• They've even trained people from countries like the UK, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Burkina Faso, and South Africa to teach others how to play Ampe.
• In 2018, Nigeria became the first country to officially join the Ampe Sports Authority to compete against Ghana.
• On November 24, 2018, Ghana hosted Nigeria in a big Ampe match at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra, Ghana. Ghana won that exciting game!
• After that, Liberia and the United Kingdom were scheduled to play against Ghana too.

Historic Ampe Competition in Accra

• On December 8, 2018, a special Ampe sports tournament was held in the City of Accra, Ghana.
• This event was organized by Hon. Alfred Adjei, a local leader, for different areas like Manmomon, Caprice, Kwadjoman, and Otaten.
• Be-Great Promotions helped make the tournament a success.
• Many people came to watch the games.
• The team from Otaten played incredibly well and made history by winning the very first Ampe Sports competition ever held in Accra!