Sports
Use COVID-19 break to address league challenges – Former GFA presidential aspirant
President of Division One League (DOL) club, Phar Rangers, Nana Yaw Amponsah, has asked the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other stakeholders to take advantage of the break occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic to solve some of the challenges encountered in the football league.
Nana Amponsah stated in an interview that, “there are bad pitches across the country which is affecting our football and we cannot resume without doing anything about it. We need to take advantage of the current situation to improve upon conditions at our league centres,” he stated.
The former FA presidential candidate said the FA had not been proactive enough in its approach in ensuring the resumption of football in Ghana.
“Currently, pitches are in bad shapes due to the lack of football and cannot be ready for use in the next one or two months; making it impossible to start the league in the coming days,” he stressed.
According to Nana Amponsah, the earliest time the league can resume is September to allow the authorities to work on the pitches and other essentials.
“With that, a new league must be started with the old one cancelled. There should be no promotion and demotion.
“The earlier we take a decision on the league, the better it would be for us, but we must ensure we put things in the right place before we resume,” he cautioned.
Nana Amponsah said the importance of football in the country cannot be quantified with its power to prevent crime and offers of a job for players.
He said it was important to make Ghana’s football attractive on the international scene but before that, the FA must first make it attractive on the home front, adding that, “this is what will make the transfer market attractive as players move from one team to the other, leading to improved cash flow and subsequently, boost the football economy”.
The Phar Rangers boss urged clubs to position themselves well to benefit from government’s US$600 million stimulus package for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) affected by COVID-19.
“My club and others have been registered as limited liability companies at the Registrar General’s Department and not by the FA so we can access such funds on our own without having to pass through the FA,” he explained.
In Nana Amponsah’s view, the GFA has been insensitive to its members during the COVID-19 period as they spent the available money on office renovation instead of thinking about the well-being of the players.
He asked the GFA to reconsider its position on the $500,000 package from FIFA to support revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and make it available to clubs to support their teams.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
Abdul Karim Zito Kabutey has resigned from his position as head coach of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club with immediate effect.
The club’s management confirmed the development and announced that it has accepted his resignation.
Management expressed appreciation for his service to the club and wished him well in his future endeavours.
In a brief statement, the club did not give reasons for the decision but assured supporters that steps are being taken to ensure continuity.
Asante Kotoko indicated that details about the new technical direction of the club, including coaching arrangements, will be communicated in due course.
The resignation comes as the club continues its campaign in domestic competitions, with management expected to outline the next steps in the coming days.
By: Jacob Aggrey
KUMASI – Asante Kotoko will welcome Aduana FC in a crunch 1/16th stage clash of the MTN FA Cup competition tomorrow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) takes a short break.
Without doubt, it climaxes this round of fixtures of the competition and will see both clubs fighting it hard to grab quarter final tickets.
For fans of the Porcupine Warriors, the timing of the clash is not favourable as it represents a difficult period when the club is struggling to keep pace with the leaders in the GPL.
The statistics clearly explain the mood among the Reds fans.
The Porcupine Warriors have won only two matches in their last six games, that is, against Bechem United and Basake Holy Stars.
But against Swedru All Blacks and Kpando Heart of Lions, they lost in miserable fashion and secured draws with Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars.
This has affected morale in camp. Coming against Aduana FC, it will not be an easy mountain to climb as the Dormaa lads enjoy a clean ride in the GPL.
Kotoko and Aduana drew 1-1 in their last league encounter which produced a lot of thrills.
The return of top striker Albert Amoah to the fold and scoring on his return got their fans celebrating and anticipated a smooth run, only to be pegged back by the Lions from Kpando.
Aduana FC at their best can ‘harm’ any opposition. Against the Porcupine Warriors tomorrow, they would have to be at their best to stand a chance against the wounded Porcupines.
At the Tuba Astro turf, Dreams FC would engage Inter Allies in another encounter expected to be full of thrills.
Inter Allies’ Technical Director, Willie Klutse, says his team has what it takes to upset the apple-cart, knowing Dreams FC’s struggles in the ongoing season.
Berekum Chelsea would also come face-to-face with Tamale City who are enjoying a great run in the Division One League (DOL).
Elsewhere, Nations FC will take on Swedru All Blacks when league leaders, Medeama SC, will host FC Samartex 1996 at the T&A Park today.
By Andrew Nortey
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