Kumasi Technical Institute will attempt to win the Ashanti regional Sprite Ball competition for the second time in a row when they line up against fierce opposition on Saturday.
The Amakom based side shocked pundit when they clinched the title in front of a partisan Opoku Ware crowd a year ago. Clearly the 5th edition in the Ashanti region will once again be either a case of renewal of rivalry or asserting dominance as the various schools gather steam for the championship.
The defending champions showed tremendous skills and morale fibre to beat Kumasi High (KUHIS) at the semi finals stage last year before seeing off the highly fancied Prempeh College in a decidedly charged game.
In 2009, the action happened simultaneously at two venues, Opoku Ware Senior High and Kumasi Anglican respectively where hundreds of fans both old and young gathered to witness a thrilling game. KTI enjoyed massive support from the home fans in the final game against Prempeh College after the latter dumped Opoku Ware out during the semi-final close contest which ended 11-10. The athletic looking KTI boys exhibited pure luminosity, stamina, nimbleness, quick feet, sublime piece of skills and character to ward off the challenge of Prempeh College in a breathtaking 10-6 win in the final game.
Meanwhile host Opoku Ware Senior High atoned for their semi-final blip against Prempeh College to beat Kumasi High School (Kuhis) for a third place spot and earned an automatic berth into the grand finale in Accra on the 19th and 20th December 2009 at the El-Wak Stadium.
In the ladies category, unpretentious Toasi Senior High (TOSS) scaled the hurdle to dismantle all teams including the favourite Kumasi Wesley Girls in the final match to lift the giant trophy.
The pundits and connoisseurs of the game were made to rewrite their notes following the heroic achievement of an unassuming Toasi Senior High.
Supreme TOSS also beat Yaa Asantewaa Senior High enroute to the final but the latter made amends in the 3rd place play off by beating St Louis to qualify for the grand finale in Accra.
But the teams will not have luxury of relaxing as only four schools (two each from boys and girls) qualifies for the grand finale in Accra on the 22-23rd December, 2010 as compared to six that book their ticket last year at the El-Wak stadium.
The battle lines have been drawn and host Opoku Ware especially will have lot on their minds following the painful defeat to their bitter rivals Prempeh College last year. Revenge will be the cardinal lookout in 2010 and it remains to be seen if they finally duck their much anticipated retribution on their nemesis.
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By: Patrick Akoto
