The Zone One qualifier of the 2nd edition of the MILO Under-13 Champions League ended last Friday with Sakasaka Primary school from Tamale in the Northern region defeating Samatigu Primary School from the Upper West region to win championship.

The two-day event which was held at the Wa Senior High School’s park saw twelve schools drawn from the Northern, Upper East and the Upper West regions of Ghana battle for supremacy for the ultimate prize of qualifying to represent their respective regions at the National Finals to be held in June 2016 at the Paa Joe Park, (KNUST) in Kumasi.

Before winning the final game, Sakasaka Primary defeated their fierce rivals Shishegu also from the Northern region by three goals to one (3-1), Yoo R/C by a goal to nil (1-0) and Nakpachie by two goals to zero (2-0). In the semifinal game, the Zone one champions beat Gaani Primary from the Upper East region by a lone goal before accounting for Samatigu Primary from the Upper Wast by two goals to Zero (2-0) in the finals.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Miss Adjoa Abrokwa, a Category Development Executive at Nestle said the brand is very excited with the high level of soccer artistry displayed by these young talents.

She further advised the pupils to always live with the values they have learnt in the course of the tournament. “Please ensure that as you prepare to be future champions, always know that team work, determination, respect, discipline and focus are the values that will help you on your journey to stardom, never abandon them”. She added.

She further promised the winner of a great experience in the National Finals.

The winner, first runner and second runners up all received cash prizes, cases of MILO® products and branded footballs. All other participating schools aside the three received eight branded footballs each.

In the individual awards, Alhassan Alhassan of Sakasaka Primary was adjudged the Most Focused player of the tournament. Abubarka Gafaru also from Sakasaka went home with the Most Determined player of the tournament award. Yelawama Vinus of Samatigu Primary got an award for being the Most Disciplined Player of the tournament.

The overall Team Work award was given to Sakasaka Primary for putting up such an excellent performance in the two-day event.

The competing schools were Sakasaka Primary, Katua D/A, Primary, Kong Basic, Megogo Primary, Shishegu Primary, Kabore Primary, Gaani Primary, Yoo R/C, Dafiaama Primary, Bolga Primary, Samatigu and Nakpachi Primary.

Meanwhile twelve schools from different districts in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions are preparing feverishly to take their turn in their Zonal qualifier come the Thursday the 19th and Friday 20th of June 2016 at the Opoku Ware School Park.