Mile 12 FC have emerged champions of the third edition of the Santa Youths Holiday Championship after defeating China Town FC 5-4 on penalties in a tense final played at the GS Santa field.
The eagerly awaited final ended goalless after regulation time, forcing the two sides into a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Mile 12 goalkeeper Tamfuh Ambroise proved decisive, saving one of China Town's spot kicks to help his side secure the trophy before a large crowd that turned out for the finals.
The victory capped an edition that brought together 10 men's football teams divided into two groups, alongside four teams in the female football category. The 2026 edition also introduced handball, with six teams taking part in the boys' and girls' competitions.
Mile 12's Njoya Shalom was named Best Player of the tournament, while his teammate Tamfuh Ambroise received the Best Goalkeeper award.
China Town's Nehseh Noel finished as the men's football top scorer with six goals.
In the female football final, Precious Ladies defeated Sportif Junior Academy 1-0 to lift the championship trophy.
The victory was particularly impressive for Precious Ladies goalkeeper Sharon Wiykinyuy, who was named Best Goalkeeper after helping her team complete the competition without conceding a goal.
Sportif Junior Academy coach Fon Winston praised his young side despite finishing as runners-up, saying the tournament had shown him areas where the team needed to improve. “I am so happy today. Despite coming second, that does not mean I should be angry,” he said.
He noted that his team was the youngest in the competition and expressed pride in reaching the final. According to Fon Winston, the tournament also provided an important platform for young talents who might otherwise remain unnoticed.
He commended entrepreneur Chindo Mitterrand, a native of Santa and sponsor of the championship, for investing in youth development in the subdivision.
The third edition also featured handball for the first time. In the boys' category, Santa Veterans defeated Awing, while the Santa Veterans also emerged victorious against Awing Handball Champions in the girls' competition.
The introduction of handball was described by organisers as one of the major new features of this year's championship.
Nji Nelson Chefor, chairman of the organising committee, said the main objective was to bring young people from across Santa together through sport. “The objective of the tournament was to bring the youth of Santa together, and if you can see the turnout today, you realise that we actually brought the youth of Santa together,” Chefor said.
He expressed satisfaction with the participation, noting that 10 teams registered for men's football, four for female football and six for handball.
Chefor said the committee would review the third edition before deciding what additional activities could be introduced in future editions. "We will still go back and sit as a committee and see what we can put together for the next edition,” he said.
The tournament produced several outstanding performers across the different categories.
Nehseh Noel of China Town finished as the men's football top scorer with six goals, while Ruma Marta emerged as the leading scorer in female football with nine goals.
Njoya Shalom of Mile 12 FC was named Best Player, with teammate Tamfuh Ambroise taking the Best Goalkeeper award.
In the female category, Sharon Wiykinyuy of Precious Ladies of Pinyin was named Best Goalkeeper after her side's impressive clean-sheet run.
The finals attracted a huge turnout at the GS Santa field, underlining the growing interest in the youth sporting event.
With Mile 12 FC and Precious Ladies now crowned champions, organisers say preparations for the fourth edition will depend on consultations with stakeholders and the availability of support to expand the competition.
The championship is sponsored by Chindo Mitterrand, an entrepreneur and native of Santa, as part of his contribution to youth development and community sporting activities in the subdivision.
By Neba Jerome Ambe
