Nestlé Ghana Ltd has honoured former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah as part of a special event commemorating 20 years since he led the Black Stars to their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance in 2006.

The celebration, held in Accra last Friday, also recognised Appiah’s long-standing contribution to the company’s flagship grassroots initiative, the MILO U-13 Champions League.

The event formed part of activities to officially launch the 2026 edition of the competition, with national finals scheduled from April 21 to 25 at the Essipon Stadium.

As part of the ceremony, a short documentary chronicling Appiah’s football career was screened before he was presented with a customised jersey signed by management and mounted in a commemorative plaque. The presentation was made by Asamoah Gyan, drawing loud applause from attendees.

Nestlé Ghana’s Category Manager for Beverages and Dairy, Myron Otoo, praised Appiah for his commitment to youth development through the tournament, noting that he has consistently travelled across the country to inspire young footballers.

“This is to say thank you to Stephen Appiah for your consistency and dedication to the brand,” Mr Otoo said.

Championing youth football

In his remarks, Appiah expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to the initiative, describing the competition as a critical platform for nurturing young talent.

He highlighted the role of grassroots football in shaping careers, citing players such as Michael Essien, John Mensah, and Sulley Muntari as examples of talents who have risen through similar systems.

Appiah noted that although he did not participate in the MILO tournament as a child, he benefited from comparable colts football structures supported by the brand.

“Thanks so much. I wasn’t expecting this from Nestlé Ghana. It is an honour to receive this. I believe in this project and I will always continue to support it,” he said.

Legacy of the MILO Champions League

Introduced in 2010, the MILO U-13 Champions League is designed to promote grassroots football among school children while encouraging education, discipline, and healthy living.

The tournament was initially held biennially until 2014, later evolving into an annual national event from 2015 to 2019. After a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it returned in 2025.

Over the years, the competition has grown into one of Ghana’s most prominent school football platforms, producing players who have gone on to feature in professional leagues and the national team.

Nestlé Ghana says its continued investment in grassroots football reflects a long-term commitment to developing the next generation of sporting talent in the country.

 

 

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