Sixteen year old midfielder from the Zamstech Senior High School in the Upper East Region, Daniel Abaa (teammate #4), last Saturday night emerged as the ultimate winner of the second edition of the MTN Soccer Academy “Skuulz Challenge.”

It was no doubt a glorious and fulfilling moment for the lad who had shown so much promise right from the screening through to the very finals of the soccer reality show as he lifted the championship trophy amidst thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.

For his prize, Abaa received a brand new Renault Duster 4Wheel drive from Premium Motors, championship medal, a smart phone from Telefonika and GHC200 worth of talk time from MTN.

In addition, he will enjoy a trial stint with Edukick in Manchester City and induction into Ghana Division One league Club, Sporting Mirren FC.

In a brief interview with the Press, the 16-year old who looked deeply overwhelmed by his achievement thanked God for bestowing on him such enviable honor. He also congratulated his colleagues, saying “we are all winners”.

Following after Abaa was Wahab Hanan (teammate #9) from T.I. Ahmadiyyah Senior High School in Kumasi who emerged first runner-up.

Hanan also received a championship trophy and medal, Ipad from Telefonika, GHC100 worth of talk time from MTN and induction into Sporting Mirren FC.

Speedster Evans Oko Armah (teammate #2) from the St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School was adjudged second runner-up and was also honoured with a championship trophy, smart phone from Telefonika, GHC100 worth of talk time from MTN and induction into Sporting Mirren FC.

Special awards were also given to Best Schools i.e. schools with highest participation in crowd support and SMS votes. St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School was adjudged winner of this award category and received a brand new Renault Ducker mini-van. La Presbyterian Senior High School who emerged runner-up in this category also received two computers donated by Device Tech.

Other awards included Most Disciplined Player and Best Team Player which went to Michael Afenu (teammate #8) University of Ghana, Legon and Nicholas Anai Abbey (teammate #10) La Presbyterian Senior High School respectively. They each received a medal and trophy.

The Golden Boot award went to Wahab Hanan (teammate #9) T.I. Ahmadiyyah Senior high School whiles the award for the Best Goal went to Bernard Appiah (teammate #14) Juabeng Senior High School.

All eight evicted teammates also received medals of participation.

Special medals of honour were also presented to Academy Head Coach, Mr. Yaw Preko and his assistant Godfred Aduobe.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by a Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, lauded the initiative to combine sports and education and encouraged the Organizers of the Show, Optimum Media Prime, to keep up with such brilliant projects.

Delivering his Outfit’s goodwill message, General Manager of MTN, Mr. Richard Acheampong, re-iterated the telecommunication giant’s commitment to sports development in the country and stated that their association with the Soccer Academy since its inception bore ample testimony in that regard.

The ceremony was obviously an impressive one which beautifully blended the celebration of the achievements of young soccer talents underpinned by great entertainment.

The MTN Soccer Academy is an annual Soccer Reality Show aimed at discovering young Soccer talents and building them into competitive brands both locally and internationally. The Show has since its inception in 2007 churned out many young players who are now making impressive strides in their respective clubs. The Reality Show, which is a novelty, is an initiative of Optimum Media Prime, a member of the Global Village Group and proudly sponsored by MTN.

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