Koudougou: The U15 team from the Cascades region clinched the handball trophy at the Union of School and University Sports of Burkina Faso (USSU-BF) finals on Sunday evening, defeating the Center region team with a score of 10 to 6, as reported by AIB.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Cascades team made an impressive start, scoring two rapid goals within the first two minutes of the match. Despite this early advantage, the team from the Centre region, known as Kolg-Naba, mounted a strong response. By halftime, the score was tied at 4-4, with Kolg-Naba's point guard, Clotilde Par©, standing out with her exceptional play.

The second half saw the Cascades team leverage their experience to secure a 10-6 victory, earning them the trophy and gold medals. The Centre team, despite their loss, displayed commendable performance and were awarded silver medals.

In addition to handball, young athletes also showcased their skills in wrestling. S©raphine Dar© from Plateau Central took gold in the girls' 40kg category, while Haoua Aya from the North triumphed in the 45kg category. Other winners included Zoubainatou Zougmor© (50kg) and Rachidatou Man© (55kg and over) among the girls, and Daouda Sama (50kg), Rodrigue Ilboudo (55kg), and Aziz Ou©draogo (over 60kg) among the boys.

The final stages, which began on May 20, also featured athletics. In the overall medal tally, the Central region secured first place with 11 medals, including 6 gold. The Central-South and Hauts-Bassins regions followed with 8 and 6 medals, respectively.

The event, held in the Centre-West region's capital, was sponsored by Roland Somda, the Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment. Somda emphasized the significance of these events, highlighting the emergence of young talent and the importance of nurturing future sports stars in Burkina Faso. He expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the success of the competitions, underscoring the role of sport as a unifying force and a promoter of well-being.

Over 25,000 athletes from more than 500 schools participated in these competitions, showcasing their talents across seven disciplines.