Tamale Hosts MTN –Savana-Fest, 2015

Eight soccer teams from various communities in the Tamale metropolis, participated in this year's MTN- Savana Fest inter community soccer gala held at the Zogbele School park.

They included, Tishegu, Sabongida, Young Lions, Bulkpela, Saara Junction, Zele Eleven, Lamashegu, and Ward 'K'.

According to Mr. Tawfiq Moomen, Regional Sales Manager of MTN, the event was one of three major activities held annually, by his outfit to celebrate a unique festival for the 3 Northern Regions (Northern, Upper East and Upper West) as a way of appreciating their patronage of its products hence the tag, "MTN-Savana Fest", Mr. Tawfiq explained that MT is committed to grass root soccer development through the unearthing of soccer talents throughout the country and contribute to the socio-economic development and transformation of the people and the nation. He cited the provision of ICT centers and organization of Business Fair for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as some of MTN'S social responsibilities to the Northern sector of the country. In the competition itself, Zele Eleven beat Lamashegu 5-4 on penalties in the grand finale to lift the trophy, phis GH500 cash and sourvinirs, whist the latter took home GH300 and sourvinirs, for placing second. Tishegu who beat Young Lions by four goals to nil, to take the 3rd place also received GH200 cash and souvinirs. Zele Eleven's, Kamaldin Zelenze, Hafiz Tanko and Adam Fatau won the Best player, Best Defender and Best Goal keeper Awards respectively, whilst Adballa Fuseini of Tishegu emerged the top scorer of the tournament. Mr. Shilla Alhassan, a former RTU, Asante Kotoko and Black Stars player who was awarded for his dedicated services to his community and Ghana as a whole seized the occasion to commend MTN for its efforts at sports development and appealed to other individuals and corporate bodies to come on board to augument the efforts of MTN. In his closing remarks, Mr. Ransford Antwi, Managing Director of Suncity Radio, whose company executed the tournament, was full of praise for MTN for its continued support for grassroot soccer development in the country and called for increased support from government and other stakeholders, to unearth more talents for the growth and development of football in Ghana. The inter-community soccer gala was preceded by an early morning health-walk which attracted a large number of participants including keep fit clubs and members of the Army Wives Association (AWA) of both the Air Borny Force (ABF) and the 6th Batalion Infantry (6BN), based in Tamale. Bolgatanga and Wa would take their turns in the month-long sports festival.