Milo Sports Festival ends in Kumasi

Kumasi, July 12, GNA - The 20th edition of the Milo Schools' Sports Festival ended in Kumasi at the weekend with Ghana Senior Technical School (GSTS) of Takoradi putting up a determined game to beat Mfantsipim School 46-40 in the final match of the basketball category played at the Kumasi Polytechnic Courts. It was a well deserved victory for the less-fancied GSTS team whose determination ensured that they led Mfantsipim in all the four quarters to end the game in their favour.

After taken the lead in the first quarter, GSTS's Benjamin Bentil and Sampson Dodoo kept the team's aspirations on course with many accurate three-pointer throws which frustrated Mfantsipim especially in the second, third and fourth quarters. The winners were presented with a trophy, gold medals and souvenirs from Nestle Ghana Limited, sponsors of the Festival whilst Mfantsipim had silver medals and souvenirs.

Tamale Ghana Senior High School (SHS) beat Kwahu-Nkwatia Saint Peter's SHS 32-31 in closely contested match for the third placed match position and were presented with bronze medals and souvenirs. In the volleyball category, Fiaseman SHS from the Western Region accounted for Agona-Swedru SDA SHS 3-1 in the final match and received a trophy, gold medals and souvenirs with the runner-up taking home silver medals and souvenirs.

The third-placed match saw Tema SHS beat Apam SHS 2-0 and were presented with their bronze medals and souvenirs. Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), in his closing address said sports and discipline were inter-twined and therefore cautioned student athletes to at all times maintain high moral standards in their chosen careers. He said the GES was committed to advancing sports development at the grassroots and said in this direction the Service would continually partner stakeholders in organized competitions to help raise talents for the nation.

Mr Bannerman-Mensah lauded the Milo Schools' Festival for raising renowned sports men for the nation such as Michael Essien, John Mensah and Sulley Muntari, saying there were potential future stars languishing at the grassroots and therefore charged school authorities to put up programmes that would help to identify talents to benefit the nation.