For the past two decades, Nestle Ghana has been devoted to the cause of promoting active lifestyles and producing talents through its sports development programs in schools which includes the Milo U-13 Champions League

On Friday, May 4, Nestle Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) launched the 2018 edition of the MILO U-13 Champions League, a tournament that seeks to unearth the fantastic talent which abounds in the basic schools across the country.

Speaking at the launch, The Managing Director of Nestle Ghana, Mrs Freda Duplan, said her outfit has the ambition to aid 50 million children to live healthy lifestyles by 2030 and one key initiative to help achieve that is the Milo U-13 Champions League.

“Healthy living is not only about eating right but also being physically active is key to maintaining a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle. Aside fortifying our products with the necessary micronutrients to address under-nutrition, we at Nestle encourage healthy eating habits and active lifestyles through avenues such as the Milo U-13 Champions League to help ensure growth and wellbeing of individuals and families, especially children''. 

She noted that the tournament is one way Nestle demonstrates its purpose of 'enhancing the quality of life and contributing to healthier future, urging parents and guardians to encourage their children to participate in the competition. 

Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr Anthony Boateng lauded Nestle Ghana for bringing them on board, adding that football has the ability to connect and empower communities through the passion and it elicits and its accompanying lessons. 

He, however, urged other corporate institutions to emulate the shining example of Nestle Ghana. 

Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah was unveiled as the brand icon and ambassador. He will be tasked to handle the soccer clinic where he takes schoolchildren and match officials through football drills.

The 2018 edition of the Milo U-13 Champions League will unfold in three major stages which will be the District, Regional and National finals.

The format will have 48 schools which will compete in four zones. 10 schools will advance to the finals which will be at the Paa Joe Park on the campus of the  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.

Each of these 10 schools which will make the final showdown will represent the 10 Regions in Ghana.

Zone 1 will have schools from the three northern regions which will be hosted at  Bolgatanga Senior High School from the 16 to 18 May 2018

Zone 2 will have schools from the Brong Ahofo and Ashanti Region which will be hosted at Prempeh College in Kumasi from 30 May to 1 June 2018

Zone 3 which had schools from Central and Western will play at Adisadel College from 6 to 8 June 2018.

Zone 4 will also have teams from Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta region.

The finals will be at the Paa Joe Park in Kumasi from the 19 to the 23 June 2018. 

Prices up for grabs