Accra, March 21, GNA - Bolgatanga Catholic Stars defeated Soccer Masters 2-1 to win the Upper East Regional version of the Coca Cola Under-17 soccer championship at the Bolgatanga sports stadium on Saturday. Catholic Stars who played with nine men managed to come from a goal down to win the competition and take home the trophy, GHC400, certificates, a set of jerseys and Coca Cola products. Soccer Masters were given GHC350, certificate and a set of jersey as their prize for placing second.

Catholic Stars have thus qualified to represent the Region at the National Coca Cola Under-17 Championship next month. In the third place match, Bolga Young Juventus defeated Soccer Stars by a lone goal to win the third place. Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister in his closing remarks of the competition commended the organisers for initiating such a laudable programme and said it will go a long way to help unearth more talents for the nation. He, however, appealed to the company to support the Region to upgrade the Bolgatanga Stadium.

The two day competition was heralded by a coaching clinic handled by Emmanel Kwesi Afranie, Francis Oti Akenteng, Tony Baffoe and Frimpong Manso. Organisers of the event described it as a success and expressed the hope that subsequent ones will be a success. Among the eight teams which participated in the championship are, Bolga Young Juventus, Nyariga United, Stoppers FC, Yaga Bisi No Weapon FC, Bolga Soccer Masters, Bolga Catholic Stars, Soccer Stars and Bongo Hassan Stars.