Tamale (Northern Region), 6th July 99 -

Vittin Secondary School retained the boys trophy for the third time running in the just ended Northern Region Annual third round robin handball competition.

Vittin beat Northern School of Business (Nobisco) 10-7 and narrowly beat Business Secondary School (Bisco) 16-15 in the finals of the boys division.

Bisco, who won the fair play cup, made mince meat of Nobisco, thrashing them 18-2.

In the girls division, Vittin beat Nobisco 12-4 but lost to Bisco 4-8. Bisco went ahead to thrash Nobisco 6-2.

Colonel George Brock, Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council (NSC), expressed satisfaction at the standard of play, saying it is obvious that school sports is the cradle and answer to the development of sports.

He promised NSC's support to the Regional Handball Association through the provision of facilities to improve the game.

Mr Solomon Addai, Marketing Manager of Coca-Cola Ghana Limited, sponsors of the competition, commended the Regional

Handball Association and the schools for their high performance.

He said the success story of the Academicals during the First Republic ensured Ghana's participation in world class sport, especially in football, adding that if the necessary attention is given to the development of handball, Ghana can produce world class teams.

Mr O.B. Alhassan, Regional Vice Chairman of the Handball Association, said the region contributed about four players during the just ended West Africa Handball competition.

He commended private organisations and individuals that supported the association to rekindle the handball game in the region and appealed to heads of other second cycle schools to encourage their schools to take part in future competitions.

GRi?/