MTN FA Cup: Already broke teams to get only 25% of gate proceeds?

It is no secret that teams in Ghana's leagues are short on cash.

Therefore every avenue to make good money is a welcome development - and the ongoing MTN FA Cup is no exception.

But the monetary arrangement for the teams raises eyebrows about whether they are getting a fair deal in the larger scheme of things.

On Monday, Vice President of the FA Cup Committee, Kurt Okraku, announced the disbursement ratio of gate proceeds to all stakeholders of the competition.

He began: "The qualified clubs are entitled to incentives and 500 Ghana cedis worth of MTN talk time."

Okraku was speaking to the press at the Round of 32 draw and then he made the ratio announcement.

"Gate proceeds will be shared as it has always been. The home and away teams both take 25% each. The stadium owner takes 10% while the GFA receives 40%." 

He did promise, however, that the teams will get some amount of cash before the match days.

25% of already guaranteed poor attendances is not enough, according to club officials speaking to Joy Sports on the sidelines of the event.

"Maybe 35% will be better. Because seriously, we need money and the FA Cup can cushion some of us smaller teams," said a second tier bankroller.

Another Premier League club General Secretary also lamented that their "hands are tied because to be honest, MTN are doing quite well with how prompt they are with payment so it is hard to complain. But 25 percent isn't plenty."

Officials of the Ghana League Clubs Association declined comment when approached by Joy Sports. 

The next round of games will take place this weekend - 4th and 5th of April. 

The MTN FA Cup round of 32 has some interesting pairings such as Medeama playing a Western regional tie against Bibiani Gold Stars as BA United also face Division Two's Kenyasi FC in a Brong derby.

Kotoko and Hearts have home games with Birim DC United and Bolga Man City respectively.

Follow Gary on Twitter: @garyalsmith
Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Gary Al-Smith