Tamale, August 12, GNA - The Northern Region would in November this year honour past football heroes and individuals whose contribution brought honour and image to the Region in terms of soccer and other sporting activities.

The move is aimed at encouraging and to serve as motivation to the young and talented sports men and women to put up their best in sustaining especially the football momentum so that Northern Region would continue to contribute to the development of football in the country.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister announced this in Tamale on Friday at the opening of the Annual National Colts Festival which kick-started in Tamale.

Twenty-four colts' teams comprising Under-12 and Under-14 teams from the ten regions would compete for gold in the week long festival. This is the first time the competition, which used to be known "Milo Games" is being held in the Northern Region in its 13 years of existence.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is sponsoring the event to the tune of about 700 million cedis that is to identify talented players to groom them for the national teams.

Alhaji Idris said, "A nation that does not honour its past heroes is not worth dying for", and pointed out that players like Mohammed Choo, Karimu Star Boy, Mohammed Gargo, George Alhassan and the Maestro Abedi Ayew Pele made the Region proud and therefore need recognition. The Regional Minister also mentioned and commended Mr. Albert Atutiga, the current Northern Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP) whom he said brought glory to the Region in boxing adding that all past sports men and women would be given their due recognition.

He appealed to past sports men and women to register with the Northern Regional Football Association (RFA) so that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) will prepare the grounds for the Honours Day in November.

Alhaji Idris advised managers of colts teams to instil discipline in the sports boys so that they would develop to be responsible and disciplined players to bring more laurels to the nation. Mr. Jordan Anagbla, Chairman of the National Juvenile Committee (NJC) stressed the importance of juvenile soccer and called on the private sector to invest in them to raise the standards of youth soccer in the country.

Mr. Kofi Nyantakyi, President of the GFA expressed gratitude for the way the games has brought together people of Tamale, adding that, "This is an indication that Tamale is ripe for the hosting of CAN 2008."

The Under 14 teams of Anokye Stars from Kumasi and the defending champions, Real Republicans of Tamale, settled for 1-1 draw game in the opening match.