Accra, March 1, GNA - Soccer Intellectuals became champions of the Central Regional

version of the Coca Cola Under-17 Championship held at the Robert Mensah Sports

Stadium, Cape Coast. They defeated Friends Babies through penalty shootout of 5-4 aggregat= e, after a one all

game during regulation time. Eric Kogyir scored for the losing finalists while James Abban scored for the champions. Oguaa pipped Paa Badu Stars 1-0 for the third place position The champions took home a trophy, 400 Ghana cedis, Coca Cola product= s and a set of

jerseys whilst Friends Babies went home with a trophy, a 350 Ghana cedis and Coca Cola

products. Kogyir of Friends' Babies won the 'Most Valuable Player' award, whil= e Abban of

Intellectuals won the 'Top Scorer' award with three goals. Paa Badu's Joj= o Asmah emerged

as the Discovery of the tournament. The participating teams included Adom FC, Royals FC, Friends Babies= , Oguaa Utd,

Soccer Pioneers, Soccer Intellectuals, Agonaman FC and Paa Badu Stars. Mr A. A. Aikins, the Municipal Chief Executive in his opening addres= s admonished the

teams to compete fairly and take advantage of the opportunity being presented them by

beverage company to make a mark in their chosen profession.

Mr Mathew N. S. Doe, Chairman of the Central Regional Football Association also

welcomed the teams to the championship and expressed the hope that the Region would

be an example for all the other regions to emulate.

Mr Anthony Chenebuah of Coca-Cola said the company's commitment to developing

grassroots football in the country remains its prime objective. The three day competition saw coaches Emamanuel K. Afranie and Franc= is Oti Akenteng

conducting clinics for the participating teams. The players also had a session with former footballers Anthony Baffo= e and Frimpong

Manso, who mentored them on values of possession and movement of the ball= .. They took them through various drills as well as offering advice as= to how to succeed

as professional footballer.