SWAG match put off

Accra, Sept 2, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) match for the new H.P. Nyamitei Cup Memorial Cup scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday September 30 has been called off. The match, which was to pitch Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi King Faisal together in a classic soccer show, was called off due to the high financial demands the Accra club is making.

Mr Ebo Quansah, president of SWAG told the GNA Sports on Tuesday that Hearts were demanding an appearance fee of 100 million cedis, which must be paid upfront to enable them to move into camp.

The chairman said in view of such a demand, which SWAG deemed too much and unrealistic, taking into consideration the import of the match, vis a vis its social responsibility function, the Association had no other option than to call off the match.

Mr Quansah said he regretted the cancellation, as the SWAG match had always been a prelude to the Annual Awards Night at which distinguished sportsmen and women were honoured.

The match was originally planned between Kotoko and King Faisal at the Kumasi Sports Stadium but was rescheduled to involve Hearts and King Faisal because of Kotoko's loaded itinerary, resulting from their participation in the African Confederations Cup competition.

Kotoko won the old H.P. Nyamitei Cup for keeps last year when they beat Liberty Professionals over two legs played in Accra and Kumasi. The State Insurance Corporation recently donated a brand new giant trophy to replace the old one.