For the past 2 decades, Nestlé MILO has been devoted to the cause of promoting active lifestyles and unearthing talents through its Sports Development Programs in Schools including the MILO U-13 Champions league.

On Friday May 4, Nestlé MILO in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service launched the 2018 edition of the MILO U-13 Champions league with a ceremony at its Head Office at Dzorwulu, Accra.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Freda Duplan Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana said that Nestlé has an ambition to help 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030 and the MILO U-13 Champions League is one of the key initiatives the company is using to achieving the ambition.

“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 (such as MILO) with the necessary micronutrients to address under-nutrition, we at Nestlé 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”.

Mrs. Duplan noted that the tournament is one way Nestlé demonstrates its purpose of “enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future”. She urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to engage in physical activities to help ensure their wellbeing.

Mr. Anthony Boateng, Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service in his address noted that football has the ability to connect and empower communities through the passion it elicits and its accompanying lessons. Mr. Boateng thanked Nestlé Ghana Limited for collaborating with GES for the tournament. “I want to thank Nestlé Ghana Limited for partnering the Ghana Education Service in this noble idea of identifying and nurturing budding soccer talents from grassroots and also augmenting Government’s policy intervention by providing this platform for our younger children”.

He urged other corporate institutions to emulate the shining example of Nestlé.
The 2018 edition of the MILO U-13 Champions League will unfold in three major stages; District, Regional and National finals. Out of 48 schools, which will compete in four zones, 10 top schools will qualify and advance to the finals. Each school will represent each of the 10 Regions of Ghana where awards and prizes including “Best Player” and “fair play team” will be given to deserving competitors. Over 20,000 schoolchildren are expected to participate in the tournament this year.

Through the MILO U-13 Champions League, Schoolchildren learn values such as respect, teamwork, determination, and focus, which shape them into active sports personalities and accomplished professionals in the future.

Stephen Appiah, the Official Brand Icon and Ambassador for the MILO U-13-Champions League will continue to handle soccer clinic where he will take the schoolchildren and match officials through football drills.