Africa-Press – Ghana. The highly rated youth football league, the MILO Under-13 Champions League, will take centre stage from December 3 to 6, 2025, as schools from various regions compete for honours.
After a five-year hiatus, this year’s competition would witness 16 teams from the Zonal Playoffs representing their regions in the National Finals, to be played at Paa Joe Stadium, KNUST, in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
Madam Salomé Azevedo, Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, during the launch, underscored the tournament’s relevance in developing young talent and instilling life skills such as teamwork and discipline.
“Nestlé Ghana believes in the transformative power of sports in shaping young lives. The main goal of this tournament is to unearth talent among basic school students through sport, while also promoting essential skills such as teamwork, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
Madam Azevedo revealed how the tournament had discovered talents, including football stars Abdul Majeed Waris, Fatawu Issahaku, Kelvin Nkrumah and many others.
“To all the children participating in the tournament, I wish you the very best. Remember, football is a wonderful complement to your education; it enhances your development and helps you grow into responsible individuals in the future,” she said.
Former Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew, who is the brand icon for the 2025 edition of the tournament, said the platform had discovered talents over the years and shaped the dreams of many aspiring football stars.
“I want to commend Nestlé Ghana and the Ghana Education Service for their unwavering commitment to nurturing youth development through sports.
“It is a privilege to partner with my senior brother, Stephen Appiah, a leader, a mentor and someone I have looked up to throughout my career.
“Together, we hope to guide, inspire and support the next generation of Ghanaian footballers,” said Dede Ayew.
The former U-20 World Cup winner also urged the young players to work hard, stay disciplined and listen to their coaches in the quest for football stardom.
“Step onto the pitch with confidence. Play with respect and grit. Enjoy every moment, make friends, learn from challenges and let your passion shine. No dream is too big; if you give your best every day, the world will open its doors for you,” he said.
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation, in a goodwill message via video, commended Nestlé Ghana for touching lives and creating more platforms for young children to thrive.
“The re-introduction of the Milo Champions League after a five-year break is an indication of resilience from the brand MILO. Football is football when we invest appropriately at the grassroots level, and President John Dramani Mahama is committed to investing in grassroots sports,” he said.
According to Mr Myron Otoo, Manager of the MILO brand, the MILO “Building Champions” programme has significantly expanded its reach, engaging about 100,000 children annually in previous years.
He said that the initiative has reached more than 1.9 million children through its platform and that the 2025 MILO Under-13 Champions League is expected to attract over 20,000 young participants nationwide, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
The launch of the 2025 edition of the MILO Under-13 Champions League was graced by some personalities, including Nana Baffour Awuah, Director for Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education; Madam Wilhemina Asamoah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation; and Professor Smile Azisi, Deputy Director General of the Ghana Education Service.
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