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Vivian Narkuor is living proof that talent, persistence and the right support can take an athlete from obscurity to continental stardom.
Fresh off a stunning campaign at the 2025 African Clubs Champions League (ACCC) in Ismailia, Egypt, where she netted 12 goals to claim both the Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player awards, the 28-year-old is basking in the well-earned limelight.
Her efforts not only powered the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Royal Ladies to a successful title defence with a 3-0 win over Egypt’s Smouha in the final but also cemented her status as one of Africa’s most prolific hockey forwards.
She stood beaming at the GRA headquarters in Accra with her teammates, fresh off the announcement that she and her teammates would receive GH¢10,000 each in recognition of their triumph.
It was clear that Vivian’s journey had reached another defining milestone.
Unlike many elite athletes who grew up dreaming of their sport, Vivian initially had little interest in hockey.
As a young girl at Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, her heart leaned towards football, volleyball and handball. Hockey was merely an afterthought until her Physical Education teacher, known as Mr Sarfo, introduced her to the game at the Nkawkaw Senior High School.
Even then, she had to be persuaded to join the Eastern Regional team for the national schools' tournament in Kumasi in 2014.
“I was selected for the Eastern Regional team for the national tournament in Kumasi, but I didn’t want to go,” she recalls with a smile.
“They had to drive from Koforidua to Nkawkaw to search for me.
My mum convinced me, and I reluctantly went to camp,” she told The Mirror, recounting her unusual journey into hockey.
What happened next was fate taking charge.
At that tournament, her performances caught the attention of Ebenezer Frimpong, the then Ghana national hockey captain and now Head of the GRA’s Sports Unit.
So impressed was he that he rewarded her with cash and a hockey stick, reassuring her that she was a rare talent worth nurturing.
It was not easy. Vivian still didn’t see a future in hockey beyond school, and it took Frimpong over a year of persistent encouragement before she finally moved to Accra to train with the GRA Royal Ladies.
Living with Frimpong’s family, she honed her skills and prepared for what would become a remarkable journey in the sport.
That decision proved to be life-changing. Joining the GRA Royal Ladies in 2015, she quickly established herself as a key attacking force, helping the club rise to dominance in Ghana and Africa.
She helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2015 ACCC in Zambia before securing silver in 2016.
Then came her true breakthrough in 2017, when Accra hosted the tournament. Playing in front of an energetic home crowd, the GRA Royal Ladies triumphed over Kenya’s Telekom to win Ghana’s first-ever continental club hockey gold.
It was the beginning of a golden era, with the team winning four more continental club titles in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025—each victory etched in history by Vivian’s phenomenal goal-scoring exploits. She demonstrated her prowess by winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2002, 2003 and 2025.
At the national level, she has been a key player for the Black Sticks since 2017, representing Ghana in major international competitions, including the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
She played a pivotal role in Ghana’s historic gold medal triumph at the 2023 African Games and came close to leading her country to Olympic qualification for Paris 2024, finishing second to South Africa in the qualifiers.
Despite her glittering hockey career, Vivian understands the importance of balancing sports with a professional career.
She currently works as a Field Operations Clerk at Matban Shipping and Logistics in Accra, a role that presents challenges due to the demanding nature of her hockey commitments.
Yet, she remains relentless in her pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field.
She credits her senior teammates, particularly Adizatu Sulemana, for keeping her motivated.
Vivian is also passionate about inspiring young athletes, encouraging them to embrace sports as a gateway to greater opportunities.
“Sports can take you far; it builds character, communication skills, and confidence,” she often says. “You must always be willing to learn, train hard on your own, and have set goals beyond just playing for fun.”
Despite her success, Vivian is candid about the struggles that Ghanaian hockey players face, particularly in terms of facilities, domestic competition structure and job security.
Unlike football, where professional contracts offer financial stability, hockey players often juggle full-time jobs with their sporting careers, making it difficult to compete at the highest level consistently.
Her biggest dream now is to play professionally abroad. Having conquered African club hockey, she is keen to test herself in more competitive leagues across Europe or Asia.
Vivian’s story is not just about goals and trophies but also about breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of Ghanaian athletes.
And with her unwavering ambition, there is no doubt she has plenty more history to write.
For now, Vivian is just getting started.
