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03.09.2004 Football News

More competitions to be seen next season

03.09.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Sept.02, GNA - The local soccer scene is likely to witness the organisation of more soccer competitions next year, aside the National Premier league barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Soccer fans have for some years now not witnessed the FA Cup which is played in between the league and the Gala that heralds the commencement of the Premier League every year, following series of court actions against the Football Association and inadequate sponsorship. It would however be noted that some organisations in recent times have come up with competitions to provide the fans with some form of entertainment with the popular one being the GHALCA Top Four Competition and the recently introduced Homowo Challenge Cup, organised by Phoenix Consult and Global Media Alliance.

Aside the above mentioned tournaments the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) in a bid to keep players and teams busy in the absence of the National Premier league, organised a Special Knockout Competition for the premier league clubs, which has gradually entered its final stage and has been described as successful by the organisers in spite of some losses.

Mr Kudjo Fianoo, Administrative Manager of GHALCA in an interview with the GNA Sports said the Special Knockout which is in its final stage has brought about some successes therefore the tournament has come to stay.

He said the tournament would be incorporated into the national calendar next year with or without the re-introduction of the FA Cup that is also played on knockout basis.

This would bring to two, GHALCA organised competitions but Mr Fianoo justified it by saying that players on the local scene are often under-utilised since the season has about 54 weeks but the league is played for only 30 weeks.

Mr Fianoo said this situation even becomes less when a lot of mid-week matches are played in the national league, there is therefore the need for the introduction of more competitions to keep the players busy as well as generate money for the clubs aside proceeds from the league.

The Administrative Manager said the whole issue would be about proper planning and adjusting the calendar to suit this agenda.

The just ended Homowo Cup, which was annexed by Accra Great Olympics seems to have also come to stay as Mr Eddy Yigah, Chief Executive of Phoenix Consult Limited hinted the GNA Sports that since the tournament was in commemoration of the annual Homowo festival, it would be an annual event.

Mr Yigah said even though the novelty event resulted in some losses it was used to prepare the path for an improved version next year and for subsequent years.

Information reaching the GNA Sports also reveals that plans are in place for the organisation of a version of the tournament for clubs like Kotoko, AshantiGold and other teams in the northern zone, whilst some notable companies in the country have indicated their interest in coming up with other forms of competition on the local scene to promote their image as well as the development of the game.

In view of these developments, soccer fans are likely to have much fun next season if the Gala competition and the FA Cup is revived whilst competitions like the GHALCA Top Four, Special Knock Out and the Homowo Cup among others are organised and maintained.

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