Wa, (UWR) April 4, GNA - Anokye Stars emerged as the Upper West Regional Under-17 Coca Cola soccer champions to represent the Region in the national contest in Accra this year.

In the final match played at the Wa Sports Stadium, Anokye Stars beat Young Heroes by two goals to nil to lift the championship trophy. Young Heroes took the second position with Power FC placing third at the tournament.

Mr Cezar Kale, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister in address, commended Coca-Cola for supporting the event to unearth talents, especially from the grassroots level.

He said the Region had in the past years' produced top class footballers including the late Baba Yara, Malik Jibril, Abu Imoro, Maxwell Konadu and Kamara Dini among others.

The Deputy Minister therefore urged the youth interested in football to emulate the unblemished characters of the past heroes by exercising high sense of discipline and avoid social vices that have the potential of destroying their lives.

Mr Kale advised coaches against pampering young footballers when they do wrong, adding that discipline and dedication to training was the best ingredient needed by all sportsmen and women to make it to the top. He said government has taken keen interest in sports development, especially football and some of the lesser known events and therefore urged for the collaboration of all to make it succeed.

Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA)who graced the occasion said he was highly impressed with the quality of football exhibited by the youngsters during the two-day tournament. He said "The future is bright for Ghana's football and we must help them to develop the talents of the youth to be in a better form to play for the national teams to win laurels for the country".

The winners received cash prizes, certificates and Coca Cola products.