The countdown is over and this Saturday at the Konongo Senior High School Park, in the Ashanti Region, young players will have the chance to showcase their football skills when the maiden Amaesng Travel Charity U-15 football tournament involving eight teams in a knockout gala finally comes alive with Bernard Dong-Bortey and Gladson Awako as special guests.
Organised as a corporate social responsibility by Accra based Amaesng Travel and Tours whose American founder and CEO, Maria Maes Brown chose Konongo because of her personal friendship with former (Akosombo based famed football academy) Right to Dream student and now based in the US, Edward Opoku.
19-year-old Opoku has just finished his Sophomore year at the University of Virginia and unfortunately can’t make it to Saturday’s event because he is having trials with Major League Soccer (MLS) side, Portland Timbers on potentially signing a professional contract.
“I just want to say a big thank you to Maria and Amaesng Travel and Tours for putting this together in my town, where I grew up playing soccer. I know a lot went into making this happen and it’s unfortunate that I can’t be there personally to witness the greatness that will take place,” young Opoku said in a Facebook video from his US base.
“I hope everything goes well and all these kids will make it worthwhile and maybe get the opportunity to be here or somewhere else better one day. Maria has done a lot for me since I came to the US and I hope these kids out there also appreciate Maria and what she’s trying to do for them,” he added.
Former Ghana international and Hearts of Oak star, Bernard Dong-Bortey and 2009 u20 World Cup winning midfielder, Gladson Awako are expected to be special guests at the one-day competition.
Representatives from the Right to Dream Academy are also expected to show up and maybe who knows if their scouts can find more talents like Edward Opoku.
In the event, Universal Soccer Intellectuals, Royal Sporting Club, Shooting Stars Academy, Emmanuel FC, Palma FC, Chartered FC, Golden Palace FC and Talented Eagles will compete in knockout matches of 20 minutes each half with the each participating side receiving a charitable package from Amaesng as well a huge trophy for the winners and grand prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
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