Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has labelled young and incoming footballers as a fortunate generation and applauded the efforts of Nestle MILO® for the platforms they create for aspiring professional footballers to development their talents.

Addressing participating schools and spectators at the closing ceremony of the Zone 3 qualifier of the MILO Champions League at the Sunyani Coronation Park, the former Juventus star who is the tournament ambassador for the MILO Champions League said the kids of today who want to play professional football are very fortunate because of the presence of companies like Nestle Ghana Limited.

“We never had it like this during our days as kids, no one came to our aid, we had to it play it hard at the colts level before making it”.

“In our days, there was not enough television and radio stations to follow us like what we see today and so if you don’t do something exceptional, you won’t be notice”. Appiah added.

At the end of the 2-day competition, Bia Yawmetwa led the Western Region to defeat Central region’s West Ridge from Kasoa in the finals. Bia Yawmetwa had to depend heavily on the brilliance of goal keeper Ali Hamza who saved three kicks to see his side win by three goals to one (3-1) during the penalty shoot outs.

The game ended in a stalemate in regulation time.

The eight participating schools were Bia Yawmetwa Primary, Akwidaa SDA, Dadieso Methodist, Besibisa (Akontombra) from the Western region, Adumfa Primary, AMAC-Agona West, Badua and West Ridge also from the Central region.

All the eight participating schools were rewarded with cash prizes, cases of MILO® products MILO® branded footballs.

Meanwhile Aboagye Prince (Badoa Primary), Solomon Appiah (West Ridge), Ali Hamza (Bia Yawmetwa) and Derrick Arthur (Dadieso Primary) were adjudged best player, best defender, best goal keeper and goal king of the tournament.

They all took home cases of MILO® products and branded footballs.

Bia Yawmetwa and West Ridge by their achievement will join Kalpohin primary from the Northern region, Garu Presby Primary from Upper East, Yayumbe from the Upper West, Kintampo Methodist from Brong Ahafo and Buobai primary from the Ashanti region in the National Finals at the Paa Joe Park (KNUST) in Kumasi from the 10th to 11th July 2015 but they have to wait for the representatives from Greater Accra, Volta and the Eastern regions.

The eight schools from the three regions will square it off come Thursday the 18th and Friday 19th of June 2015 in Koforidua in the Zonal 4 qualifier.