Accra, June 26, GNA - Nestle Ghana Limited has committed GHC 200.000 to the organisation of the 2009 Schools Sports Festival to be held next month in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The amount which forms part of the total budget allocated for the event, covers organisation, procurement of jerseys, football bibs, footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, trophies, shields, medals, polo shirts, Milo products and other sporting equipment. The event dubbed "Milo Sports Festival" meant for Basic and Senior High Schools which is under the theme, "Get Your Child Into Sports" is scheduled for July 4-11, with regional champions in Volleyball, Basketball and Football participating.
Mr Samer Chadid, Managing Director of Nestle Ghana Limited in a speech at the launch of the Festival in Accra on Friday said the brand has been heavily involved in sports development and promotion at the grassroots since 1989, hence the decision to sponsor the event. He said the sponsorship will ensure a smooth organisation of the Festival as well as provide opportunities for the young ones to discover their sporting talents and deploy them effectively for the benefit of themselves and society.
Mr Chadid added that the success of their involvement in grassroots sports development and promotion has been demonstrated in a great number of players of the various male and female football national teams. The Managing Director said this year's Festival has been widened following the inclusion of Boys basketball, adding that it was an indication of the interest the brand name of 'Milo' has in sports development.
He therefore called on parents to develop their children's interest in sports by nurturing from their tender ages. Mr Chadid expressed the hope that the Festival will unearth more sporting talents for the country's sports development. Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education in a speech read on his behalf said government appreciates the role Nestle Ghana Limited has played in the development and promotion of sports at the grassroots level.
This, he noted is evident in the presence of large number of players in the various national teams who are mostly products of the Milo Schools Sports Festival.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said the decision of the company to widen the scope of the Festival clearly shows the interest that the brand has in the development of sports in the country.
He expressed the hope that the Ghana Education Service (GES) will continue to collaborate with Nestle Ghana Limited to push sports to greater heights.
