Veep hails Street Soccer Africa

Street Soccer Africa is a non-profit project to empower African kids with football talent

Vice President John Dramani Mahama could not hide his delight as he lifted 11-year-old Manasseh Gyasi off the El Wak Stadium pitch and onto the victory podium to present the giant trophy he donated for the finals of Street Soccer Africa.

The vice president was particularly pleased that all the players had to be in school to qualify for the competition. "This is a sure sign that you have all been told that education must always be your priority even as you seek to excel in sports," he stated.

The exciting matches were witnessed by a high-level delegation of Street Soccer Nigeria led by Dr. Dolapo Badru - Special Advisor to the Lagos State Governor on Youth, Sports & Social Development as well as Okundola Bamgboye - MTN Communications Nigeria.

Other dignitaries included Frank Nelson of Accra Hearts of Oak (Auroras), Cecilia Dei Anang and Samuel Osafo of Nestle MILO and Jacqueline Bema Bonsu of Voltic.

The massive turnout at the El Wak stadium also included the Minister of Sports Honorable Rashid Pelpou and his deputy Honorable Nii Nortey Dua as well as Honorable Elizabeth Sackey.

Right from the morning kick off, the incredibly talented Unique Stars U-12 soccer team from Teshie overcame all opposition to claim the title of Street Soccer Africa champions at the weekend. Goodwill messages were read before the final match with Inter Milan star Sulley Ali Muntari going a step further by donating $1,000 dollars to the Street Soccer Africa Fund.

Led by 11-year-old sensational captain and eventual player of the tournament Manasseh Gyasi, the team from Teshie were always a shade ahead of their opponents. In the finals Teshie beat a tough Bukom Stars side 3-2 on penalties after the game failed to produce a goal in regulation time. Street Soccer Africa is the only cadet project of its kind for boys and girls in the country with National Service Personnel acting as "mentors" to the children.

The project is supported by a number of international footballers including Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, John Paintsil, Prince Tagoe, Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo and Sulley Ali Muntari. The vice president commended all the teams for their total commitment and effort and said on such an occasion there were no losers. He also praised the organisers OXIGEN and their sponsors for their vision in starting with humble beginnings in October 2008 and assured them of more support to unearth football talent in Ghana.

"As football becomes increasingly part of the socio-economic and developmental visions of nations, it is critically important for governments and corporate bodies to explore the potential, as well as the limitations, of soccer in the growth and development of the youth".

The standard of competition was so keen that it was hard to separate the teams who hailed from Madina, Osu, Chorkor, Nima, Tema and Dansoman. By the end of the first knockout stage, teams that fell by the wayside included Kaneshie, Bawaleshie, Avernor, Burma Camp, Fadama and La.

Rita Agyen of Oxigen World confirmed to Myjoyonline that phase 2 of the event would be broadened to allow more communities to participate with a view of a collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria. However she declined to confirm that the project would soon be unveiled as Globacom Street Soccer Africa even though a number of Glo officials were present at the finals.

Special Awards:

BEST PLAYER (MALE) – MANASSEH GYASI (UNIQUE Fc. Teshie)

BEST PLAYER (FEMALE)-PATIENCE ADJETEY

GOAL KING – ABRAHAM LARYEA (3 goals) (MANDELA Fc. Madina)