Remembered by his family
Panyin and Kakra
Martin came into this world alongside his twin sister, Martina Holdbrooke. Together, they were our “Panyin and Kakra”, with Martin being Kakra. In Akan, Panyin means the elder, while Kakra means the little one. For our family, these names hold the memory of two children whose lives began together and whose bond remains part of our story.
A precious child of our home
Martin grew up as one of our parents’ precious children, nurtured in the fear of the Lord, protected and deeply loved. As a child, he was the calmest, the most wonderfully unusual, and the strongest. His quiet nature and individuality were part of what made him unmistakably Martin.
Before the trophies and the applause, he was our son, our brother and our Kakra. That is how we hold him closest.
His education
Martin completed St Nicholas Junior High School and continued his education at Maxwell’s Preparatory School in Cape Coast. He later attended Cape Coast Technical Institute, where his sporting talent became an important part of his school life.
A gifted athlete
Kweku Atta Kakra made his name across an extraordinary range of sports. He won accolades and trophies with his school in basketball, volleyball, handball, high jump, long jump, shot put and other field events. His family remembers his achievements as part of Ghana’s sporting record and his place in Cape Coast Technical Institute’s golden generation.
During the 2009–2010 season, he represented the Central Regional basketball team at the annual sports festival in Kumasi, where the team won a bronze medal. He was also a basketball prodigy for Cape Coast Hoops, helping lead the team to victories in major tournaments around the country.
A moment recorded · April 2008
A Cape Coast Hoops report published on 21 April 2008 lists Martin Holdbrooke in the team’s line-up, marking his appearance as a debut. It records Hoops defeating All-Stars 48–44 and winning the final against WBA 33–22.
His passing
Martin passed away in 2010 at the age of 16, after the annual super-zonals sports competition at the Schools and Colleges Park, Adisadel. His life ended far too soon, leaving his parents, his twin sister, his siblings and the wider family with a loss that words cannot fully hold.
What he means to us
We remember both the athlete celebrated on the court and the child raised with love in our home. His achievements brought pride to his family, his school and his teammates. Yet his place in our hearts reaches far beyond any medal or trophy.
Martin left a legacy in the basketball fraternity, where he continues to be remembered and celebrated. Within our family, he remains one of our own: a precious son, a beloved twin and brother, and our unforgettable Kweku Atta Kakra.
Always our Kakra. Forever in our hearts.
From the family’s archive
Original Basketball Ghana link shared by the family ↗The original Basketball Ghana article is currently unavailable. This remembrance follows the family’s account, with the separately linked April 2008 tournament record.
