Second Northern Region Milo U-13 boys soccer under way in Savelugu

The second annual Northern Region Milo Inter District U-13 Soccer boys competition is underway in Savelugu. Twenty six districts are participating in the nine day competition at four venues, namely; Savelugu Senior High School, Savelugu M/A Junior High School, Savelugu School for the Deaf and the Pong Tamale Senior High School.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Savelugu Nanton Municipal Chief Executive, Alhassan Abdulai Red, noted that sports and for that matter soccer, has become an integral part of the physical disciplines that is receiving greater attention the world over and therefore Ghana must make the best out of it.

He urged the participating districts to identify the best set of players that would represent the northern region in future competitions.

Hon. Abdulai Red also charged the competing districts to instill discipline in their sports men to be able to excel at all levels of competition.

He pointed out that the abysmal performance of Real Tamale United in the national premier league in the past few years can only be addressed when soccer talents at the grassroots are identified and natured.

The MCE therefore encouraged parents to motivate their wards who have been identified with sporting talents to do more since sports has become part of life and source of wealth.

In his welcome address, the Savelugu Municipal Director of Education, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu, called on officials of the event to be objective in their judgements to ensure fairness throughout the competition.

He encouraged the players to be competitive enough and be humble winners or losers. Mr. Yakubu appealed to spectators to respect the decisions of officiating officials to avoid riots.

In their opening match, the hosts, Savelugu Nanton, gallantly lost 10-11 on penalties to Nanumba South.

The thrilling encounter ended 1-1after regulation time, paving way for penalty shoot out. Both teams converted four out of their first five kicks and again kept a clean sheet with the second set of five kicks.

The next set of two kicks saw Savelugu wasting one kick before Nanumba South converted their eleventh kick to emerge winners.