GHALCA counting her loss

Accra, August 16, GNA - The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) is already counting her losses and gains as the Novelty Knockout competition enters the quarter-final stage.

The competition has so far recorded unimpressive turnouts of fans at the various match venues.

With the exception of the match between Accra Hearts of Oak and AshantiGold at the Accra Sports Stadium last Wednesday, which recorded some good attendance, three other matches played at the same venue has been on a very low side.

The number of fans who turned out for the match between Power FC/Okwawu United in the opening first leg game, Real Sportive/BA United and Olympics/ Feyenoord at the Accra Sports Stadium could easily be counted.

GHALCA, the organisers spent huge sums of money on visiting clubs, by providing them with transportation to match venues but proceeds realized at most of these centres fell far below expectation after the round one matches.

Mr Kudjo Fianoo, Administrative Manager of GHALCA told the GNA Sports that over seven million cedis was spent on two visiting teams at the weekend but the gross income fetched for the three games hosted at the Accra Sports Stadium was only five million cedis.

He said the Association spends a maximum of 4.5 million cedis and a minimum of 1.5 million cedis on transportation for visiting teams depending on the distance involved.

"We had to dole out 4.5 million cedis to enable RTU to honour their game against Heart of Lions at Kpando whilst Berekum Arsenals took 2.75 million cedis for their travelling expenses in the Accra game against Liberty", Mr Fianoo said.

The Administrative Manager, however, claimed that the association is unperturbed in the wake of the drastic loss. He insists, "Our concern is to keep our players active and once we are on course there is no problem".

He explained that GHALCA was currently relaying on their sponsorship package to serve as a cushion in the absence of the desired gate proceeds.

He told the GNA Sports that they are currently holding talks with the Referees Association of Ghana, (RAG) in their quest to improve upon officiating in the subsequent games.

Subsequently, he said referees who under performed in the first round would not have a second bite as the competition progresses.

"Though we reckon that the long lay off affected players and referees alike, we have decided to use only FIFA referees from the quarter final stage onwards".