Radio commentaries banned from VIP lounge

Kumasi, July 6, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Football Association (ARFA) and the National Sports Council (NSC) have barred the running of football commentaries from the VIP lounge of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Radio sports presenters have also been barred from conducting interviews in the inner perimeter of the stadium during local and international matches.

The decisions were arrived at at a stakeholders meeting which the NSC, RFA, members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Association of Sports Broadcasters (ASBOG) and the security agencies attended on Tuesday.

Mr Christian K. Yeboah, Chairman of the RFA said that the decision was taken to ensure that broadcasters conducted themselves in line with professional standards and also abide by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of broadcasters at the stadium.

He said a special venue at the basement of the VIP lounge, would be provided by the NSC for interviews after matches.

Coaches, captains and team officials would also be sensitised during pre-match conferences on the need to comply with the directive. Mr Yeboah said the association was not happy about the manner in which sports broadcasters flouted the rules and regulations governing the conduct of interviews with impunity at the stadium, which often creates inconveniences.

Mr Ohene Karikari, the newly appointed Regional Sports Development Officer announced that the stadium would soon be closed down for renovation towards hosting of the CAN 2008 by Ghana.

To ensure that commentary and press boxes accommodate the required number of the various press houses, the number of the media personnel would be controlled so as not to cause a spill over of football presenters into the VIP lounge to run commentaries.

Mr Karikari stressed the need for the sports presenters to comply with the directive to ensure discipline during and after matches.