Wa, (U/W) Aug. 22, GNA - The thirteenth National Colts Football competition commenced at the Wa Sports Stadium in the Upper West Region on Sunday `with a call for public support to encourage the youth develop their talents.

The 24 competing teams are made up of twelve Under 15 and twelve Under 12 colts clubs with a total of 568 players drawn from the various Regions.

Mr Cezar Kale, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister in a speech at the opening ceremony of the competition, commended the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for organizing the competition in the Region. He also commended the GFA for sponsoring the event, saying that it was an indication that the Association was committed to the development of youth football in the country.

Mr Kale said that government was committed to putting in all efforts to assist the GFA to ensure the development of sports in the country, especially juvenile and grassroots lesser known sports. He urged the players to be disciplined and play according to the rules of the game to enable them win laurels for themselves, their clubs, regions and the entire nation.

The Deputy Regional Minister advised the players not to loose focus with their education but combine both sports and academic exploits, stressing that it would help them to go far with their careers. Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the GFA said the Association had a well laid down development plan to develop juvenile football in the country since it formed the nucleus of the sport.

He said in that regard the GFA had committed over GH¢200,000.00 towards the successful hosting of the tournament this year. The President pointed out that no team would be allowed to cheat in the competition and warned that they would therefore not hesitate to throw out any over-aged players out of the competition.

Mr Nyantakyi challenged the players to take advantage of the competition to prove their capabilities of becoming the future of the country's football.

He expressed optimism that a lot of talents would be unearthed at the end of the one week tournament. Meanwhile, Wa All Stars Babies, the host team defeated Tamale Shooting Starlets 1-0 in the opening match. 22 Aug. 10