By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Sunyani, (Bono), Oct. 12, GNA-Mr Ransford Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sunyani-based Suncity Group of Companies has lauded the inter-community football gala initiated by MTN Ghana, a telecommunication company among communities in the Sunyani Municipality.
He emphasised that the gala, instituted a decade ago, was making huge impacts, saying that more players had been signed up by local and foreign clubs.
Besides, he said the gala was helping to unearth, nurture and build football talents and also creating job opportunities for the youth in the localities.
Mr Antwi gave the commendation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) sport on the sidelines of the finals to climax the inter-community football gala of the 2026 edition of the MTN Ghana Suncity fest.
It was held at the Twene Amanfo Senior High and Technical School Park in Sunyani with the Odumase community football team beating the Baakoniaba community football team to take home the trophy.
For their prize, the Odumase team received GHS30,000 cash and some MTN souvenirs while the Baakoniaba team took away GHC20,000 cash and some MTN souvenirs as well.
In the semi-final encounters, Sunyani Area Two drew a goalless draw with Baakoniba, with Odumase beating Penkwase 1-0 and each of the four community teams also received some MTN souvenirs and other packages as well.
Mr Antwi indicated that international players like Saddick Adams and Baba Mahama and other local players, launched their football careers through the MTN inter-community football gala.
Besides, he added that the cash prizes had enabled some of the players to buy their sporting wears regretting that: “Most of the players in the local divisions are unpaid”.
Mr Antwi noted that deepened cohesion alone among the communities kept the event going and thanked the MTN for their generosity, innovation and commitment towards community enhancement.
“In fact, the cohesion and the deepened prevailing peace among the communities in the municipality alone inspires us to support and sustain the gala”, he added.
In a separate interview, Mr Kofi Owusu, the Bono Regional Manager of MTN Ghana, said “We are creating a platform for the players to showcase their talents for local and international opportunities”.
He commended the players and the spectators for the high level of discipline and comportment, saying that the 2026 edition of the gala had witnessed drastic improvement.
The MTN Ghana with the support from the Suncity Group of Companies instituted the fest a decade ago, celebrated annually to deepen the bond of peace, and social cohesion.
About 11 communities in the Sunyani municipality, comprising Atuahenekrom, Wawasua, Abesim and Atronie as well as Sunyani Newtown, Sunyani Zongo, Sunyani Penkwasi, Sunyani Adomako and Sunyani Pastoral Center participated in the matches.
Other activities outlined for the 2026 celebration included a health walk, free health screening exercise, and music concert.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]