Ashanti Regional Skate Soccer team Ashanti Warriors emerged champions in the maiden MTN Skate Soccer league, with a pulsating 3-2 win over rivals, Accra Giants in the final match.

Warriors combined speed and purposeful attack and took a commanding two-goal lead in the early minutes of the game. But Accra Giants led by the national captain, Sani Gariba fought back gallantly and pulled a goal back few minutes to the end of the first half.

He rallied his mates in the second half and pulled parity through Mallam Ahmed.

However, Mohammed Bello of Ashanti Warriors converted a late spot to send the whole place into ecstasy to win the match for his side.

Reaching the finals, Ashanti Warriors walloped Western Tigers 5-1 whilst Accra Giants managed a hard-fought win over Zongo Lions with 2-0 to set the stage for the grand finale.

By the arrangements, Ashanti Warriors will standby and await the winner in the next round of the competition scheduled for Accra on Saturday, June 29 and July 27 for the second and third round.

Mr. Albert Frimpong Chief Executive of the International Federation of Skate Soccer (IFSS), said talks were ongoing with the headline sponsors, MTN Ghana, to expand the game to cover the entire country.

“The idea of introducing the sport to the world was to discourage begging for alms by the physically challenged and to make them more relevant to society and economically reliant. I also express my profound gratitude to Binatone for supporting us until MTN took over”, Mr. Frimpong said.

In his speech, Mr. Simon Amoh, Senior General Trade of MTN expressed the sponsors’ delight in associating with skate soccer. “MTN always seeks to promote a positive relationship between the brand and the customer by demonstrating unique understanding of customer need and therefore appreciate the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these unique and creative people.”

According to him, heading the sponsorship of skate soccer was one of the exciting ways to help the physically challenged while he lives.

He said MTN was inspired by the tenacity and strength of the players and pray and hope for the growth of the sport to attract more teams so that it would keep the physically challenged meaningfully engaged.

Mr. Amoh appreciated the “Can-Do Spirit” displayed by both organizers and the players by embracing the idea that disability is not inability and desired that participants will be able to discover their dreams as well as inspire many people facing similar challenges in their lives.

He commended the IFSS for championing the course of the physically challenged and assisting them to identify their talent in skate soccer. “Together with the teams and IFSS, we hope that skate soccer will grow in Ghana and beyond and that in future, you will win for us to hold at the Olympic Games. Yes you can.”