West Ridge School wins Milo U- 13 Champions League.

By Edna A. Quansah, GNA
Accra, June 27, GNA- West Ridge International School from Kasoa emerged winners in the second edition of the National Finals of the Milo U-13 Champions League played at the Paa Joe Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The champions defeated Ofinso Amoawi Methodist school from the Ashanti Region 4-3 on penalties to win the competition.

The three-day event attracted 10 schools comprising West Ridge International School (eventual winners) Bepong Methodist- Eastern region, Tordzinu Primary- Volta region, St. Philips- Western region, Fountain Gate Primary- Brong Ahafo region, Sakasaka Primary- Northern region, Gani Presby Primary- Upper East, Jesus Cares for You Academy, Gt. Accra, Samatigu Primary - Upper West and Ofinso Amoawi Methodist from Ashanti region.

They battled for the bragging rights of Milo's soccer Ambassadors for the year as well as taking home a whooping prize money of GH¢ 10,000 and products from Nestle Ghana.

At the end of the competition, Issah Hussein from West Ridge International won the golden ball award with Desmond Boakye Ganihu Fuseini from Amoawi Methodist Primary and Ernest Awuah from Bepong Methodist Primary winning the Silver and bronze balls respectively.

Gerald Nyabouri of Jesus cares For You Academy and Daniel Baako from Bepong Methodist won the golden boot and golden gloves respectively, with Jesus Cares for You Academy also taking the Fair Play award.

West Ridge International went home with a sum of GH₵ 10,000, medals, certificates of participation as well as gifts from the sponsors. Amoawi Methodist Primary, for being the runner up, received GHC 3,000W, silver medals certificates of participation and gifts, whiles Bepong Methodist, the second runner up, also got GHC 2000, bronze medals, certificates of participation, and gifts from the brand. All other participants and their coaches also received gifts from Nestle Ghana.

Both the Zonals and the National Finals competitions were preceded by soccer and coaching clinics for the kids and coaches of the participating schools, as well as some non-participating schools.

The clinics were facilitated by the Technical Directorate of the Ghana Football Association, led by Oti Akenteng and Stephen Appiah, former captain of the Black Stars and Icon for the tournament.

In a post-match interview, the Business Executive Manager of Nestle Ghana Limited Mr. Russel Lipchen said, 'The highlight of the was that every child who participated in this year's MILO Champions League is walking away with something new, since football teaches more than just a game'. 'We have made an impact on the future generation of Ghana and that is the message we want to carry along and spread around Ghana'. Mr. Lipchen added.

Stephen Appiah said he was overwhelmed by the level of soccer artistry exhibited by the young players. He congratulated all the participating schools for treating Ghanaians with such great soccer artistry and commended Nestle for their efforts.

'Ghanaians should appreciate the effort of Nestle since they are helping the country to produce football talents to feed our local clubs as well as the national teams.'

The Milo Champions League is a flagship grass root soccer fiesta organized by Nestle Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and endorsed by the Ghana Football Association.

It is aimed at helping to unearth young talents across primary schools in the country and also encouraging mothers to get their kids into sports because sports has a unique ability to help instil life values such as focus, respect, discipline and teamwork. These values, the brand believes, will go a long way to shape the lives of young talents both on and off the field.

The event was attended by some top management officials and staff of Nestle Ghana Limited, the Ghana Education Service, Ministries of Youth and Sports and Education, the Ghana Football Association, Ex-Black Stars players, school children, soccer fans and a representative of the Asantehene.

GNA