Inter-Regional U-12 sports open

Koforidua, May 24, GNA - This year's Annual Milo Inter-Regional Primary Schools Under-12 Soccer and the Schools and Colleges Soccer and Volleyball Championship (SCSVC) opened at Koforidua on Monday. In the opening match, the defending champions of the Milo Schools and Colleges Soccer Championship, New Juaben College of Commerce ( NJUACOCO) beat St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School of Accra by a lone goal.

In the boys Under-12 soccer match, Eastern Region beat Upper East Region 4-2 while in other earlier matches played, Greater Accra Region beat Ashanti Region 2-1, Northern Region beat Western Region 4-2 on penalties after the full time score ended 2-2 while Brong Ahafo Region spanked Central Region 3-0.


In the Schools and Colleges events, Winneba Secondary School defeated Tamale Secondary School (TAMASCO) 5-4 on penalties after the full-time scores stood at 2-2.


In the Volley-ball Girls division, the defending champions, Kumasi Girls Secondary School (KUGISS) beat Fijai Secondary School of Sekondi (FIJAI) 2-1 and Labone Secondary School of Accra defeated New Juaben Secondary Commercial School(NJUSCO) 2-0. TAMASCO beat Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH) 2-0 while Apam Secondary School (APASS) defeated Awudome Secondary School of Tsito(AWUSCO) 2-1.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Mr Yaw Osafo-Marfo in a speech read on his behalf observed that sports was a "universal language" for the promotion of peace, tolerance and understanding among people of different origins. He therefore appealed to the sports boys and girls as well as the spectators to avoid any acts that would lead to violence and advised the students to avoid the use of drugs since it could ruin their academic careers and future upbringing.


Mr Osafo-Marfo commended Nestle Ghana Limited for its continued support for the development of sports in the country and invited other individuals and corporate bodies to support the programmes of the Ministry.


The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah reminded the participants that in all competitions there was bound to be winners and losers and therefore urged them to allow fair play and good sportsmanship to prevail throughout the competition. The Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng who took the kick off for the commencement of the Festival, urged the youth to out in their best and excel to become future world champions.