Accra, May 31, GNA - Anokye Stars of Kumasi produced a spirited performance to beat Liberty Sports 3-0 on penalties in the final of the Coca-Cola U-17 national soccer championship after drawing 0-0 in regulati on time at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman last Sunday.
The Kumasi based team have thus qualified to participate in the Worl d Coca-Cola U-17 championship at a future date and will also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to watch the first ever World Cup on African soil.
Besides the World Cup treat, Anokye Stars took home a cash prize of GH¢1,000, a certificate, medals and Coca-Cola products. Liberty Sports on the other hand received GH¢600 cash prize, a tro phy, medals and Coca-Cola products for their efforts in the two-day soccer festival sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Mr Jordan Anagblah, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association in a speech at the well organized juvenile soccer championshi p, urged all to embrace Coca-Cola's concept of unveiling soccer talents at t he juvenile as well as the grass roots level. "What we have witnessed these two days is a testament of where Ghana
soccer belongs. Let's all embrace it to produce more Essien's. Kudos Coca-Cola," said Mr Anagblah.
The Franchise Manager of Coca-Cola Equatorial Africa, Mr Philip Ayiv or expressed satisfaction for the success of the initiative which he noted h as been able to achieve its two-pronged objective of unearthing juvenile soc cer talents and ensuring physical activity. Mr Ayivor praised coach E. K. Afranie for embracing the concept and pledged his outfit's continued support for the development of sports, especially at the juvenile level in the country.
Liberty Sports Kwesi Fakah emerged the 'Discovery' of the tournament , Anokye's Kwadjo Nimako won the 'Best Goalkeeper' Award. Anokye's coach Mohammed Sani Polo grabbed the 'Best Coach' Award while the 'Best Defende r' prize went to Alfred Arthur Opoku of Liberty Sports.
Jacob Asiedu Appau of Young Medeama finished as the 'Most Valuable Player while Issifu Lamptey of Schalke FC won the 'Top Scorer' award for netting three goals. For their excellence, all the award winners received
certificates, trophies and Coca-Cola products. The organizers of the competition appreciated the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ms Akua Sena Dansua and her deputy Mr Reuben Nii Nortey Dua, the Chief Executive of the National Sports Council (NSC), Mr Worlanyo Agra an d presented them with certificates for their efforts.
The rest who received praises were Liberty Professionals, the Premie r League Board (PLB), Professionals Football Association of Ghana, Tony Baffoe, the Referees Association of Ghana, (RAG) coach Afranie and the Dansoman Divisional Police Commander. Twelve teams from the ten regions battled for the South African 2010
single slot after a close to eight months regional juvenile soccer tourne y. Ultimate Soccer Academy, Manchester United, Schalke FC Soccer Intellectuals, Young Medeama, West Cedars, Anokye Stars and Corners Babie s of (Kumasi), Young Kotoko (Northern), Catholic Stars (Upper East) and Ano kye Stars (Upper West) after emerging champions in the regional contests batt led for supremacy in last Sunday's championship. 31 May 10
