Bank of Ghana's Exchequers last Saturday evening maintained their invincibility aura in the Chairman Challenge Cup when they trounced fellow bankers Golden Sticks in the final to lift the ultimate at the national hockey Stadium.
Veteran Samuel Kwao opened the scoring in the 19th minute from a free goal action, while the brawny defender characteristically struck home a power strike three minutes to the break Twenty minutes after the break, Benedict Sam consolidated his sides lead as well as his personal tally to nine.
Blessed with most of the national team players in the persons of Elikem Akaba, Joseph Appiah, Daniel Lamptey, William Cudjoe and others, the closest Golden Sticks came to scoring was thwarted by their opponents.
Exchequers dominated the four-week GH¢25,000 budget tourney from start to finish, maintaining a hundred percent record by going past seven games without conceding a goal.
For their brilliant performance in the competition arranged in honour of the chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA), Mr. Oko Nikoi-Dzani, they took home the maiden giant trophy and GH¢500 cash as their prize.
Exchequers defender, Sam, finished as the top scorer hitting the back of the net nine times, goalkeeper Aikins Opoku Danso emerged as the best goalkeeper, while another Exchequer Patrick Omar won the best defender award.
Citizens beat Multistix 1-0 to lift the seniors event, NDK Financiers defeated Kumasi Seniors 2-1 in the final, while CEPS Ladies defeated Extinguishers of Fire Service 3-2 on penalty strokes after a scoreless game in regulation.
All the winners including officials who diligently executed their role received various forms of cash prizes trophies and plaques. Elizabeth Opoku won the most promising female star.
Mr. Nikoi-Dzani in a post-tourney interview described the competition as a huge success stating that: "The competition has come to stay and I promised to improve on the subsequent editions roping in other regions to make it look more national.
It is a platform in the development of hockey."
The Acting Chief Executive officer of the National Sports Council(NSC) Mr. Worlanyo K Agra also described the competition a s success, saying "The game is alive, I 'm impressed."