Compassion International Ghana, an NGO last Friday climaxed its week-long football tournament at the El-Wak stadium in Accra. It marks the beginning of the annual National Soccer Festival of the NGO.
The massively attended event brought together Under 12 and Under 15 female and male teams from Compassion International Ghana camps across the country to compete for honors.
The Country Director of Compassion International Ghana, Mr. Padmore Baafour Agyapong, lit the colorful Olympic flame after it had gone round the El-Wak stadium playing pitch by the captains of the six participating final teams.
In an address, Mr. Baafour Agyapong indicated that Compassion International Ghana, is a Christian non-governmental Organization whose mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
“Since July 2005, we have partnered with 216 churches in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Volta and the Ashanti Regions to help provide the spiritual, emotional, physical and economic needs of over 56,000 children in Ghana” he revealed.
The Country Director added that, “Come July 2015, Compassion International Ghana, CIGH will be ten years to God’s glory and to commemorate this milestone, we have planned a year-long activities under the theme, CIGH @ 10: The Child remains the Heartbeat”.
“Among the activities to commemorate this memorable and outstanding achievement in CIGH history is the organization of the National Soccer Festival to promote physical health and social development of children while encouraging the spirit of friendship, teamwork and discipline that is being thought in the classroom” Mr. Baafour Agyapong said.
He charged the players to note that the entire staff of CIGH, Church partner and sponsors believe that each one of them is blessed at birth with a special gift or talent.
Each of you is valuable in the sight of God and you have the right to develop your talents. Take advantage of the benefits that come with this festival” he urged.
“You are encouraged to make friends, learn to work with others in a team and develop your leadership qualities” Mr. Baafour Agyapong stressed.
In a curtain raiser to the finals, Compassion International Ghana staff defeated Child Development Workers by 4-2 on penalties after the game ended in a pulsating 0-0 in regulation time.
Final results include,
New Bakpa CDC 2-1 Domiabra (Under 12)
COP Fadama 4-2 Gomoa Tarkwa (Under 15) Penalties
Ajumako Mando 1-0 Gomoa Ekwamkrom (Girls Final match)
God Bless CDC Bremang Asabiem 4-3 Ekumfi Adansi Methodist CDC (Under 12 boys final) Penalties
Methodist CDC New Ningo 3- 5 Kutunse CDC (Under 15 boys) Penalties.
The Director of the National Sports College, Mr. Bukari Noah Bargebase, commended Compassion International Ghana for the initiative.
He called on other Corporate Institutions and Non-Governmental Institutions to emulate what he called, “the shining example” of Compassion International Ghana as a means of complementing government efforts at unearthing great but hidden sporting talents across the country.
Winning teams and deserving players received trophies, medals, jerseys, footballs and other sporting kits made from China.
