Mr Frempong Manso, former player of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and the national senior soccer team, Black Stars, has called on parents to give their children the necessary support to enable them to develop their talents.

He said every child has a talent and that it would take the support of their parents to develop their God-given talents.

Mr Frempong Manso made the call at the opening of Compassion International Ghana’s National Soccer Festival at the El-Wak Stadiun in Accra on Monday.

About 14 Cluster of Schools took part in the five-day soccer which forms part of activities marking the 10th Anniversary celebration of Compassion International Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization.

They are Cape Coast, Mfantseman, Accra South East, Accra North, Tema/Ashiaman, Kasoa, Swedru, Breaman, Ajumako, Somanya, Assin, Akwapim, Tongu and Asougyaman.

It is under the theme ‘Compassion International at 10: The Child remains the Heartbeat’

Mr Frempong Manso said children were gift from God and that it was always proper to nurture them to grow and take up responsible positions.

He also advised the children to be respectful at all times and above all take their education seriouse.

Mr Padmore Baafour Agyapong, Country Director of Compassion International Ghana said the festival was aimed at promoting physical health and social development of children while encouraging the spirit of friendship, teamwork and discipline which was being taught in classrooms.

He said the NGO through the partnership with some churches, has opened 216 Child Development Centres (CDC) throughout the country and expressed the hope that 25 more would be opened by the end of the year and then additional 25 would be opened by the middle of next year.

In the opening matches, Aseibu Pentecost CDC beat Bubuashi Redemption Hour 1-0, while Adamorobe St Paul’s Anglican thrashed Atimpoku Emmanuel CDC 6-0.