Clubs want govt support to participate in Africa

Accra, Nov 15, GNA - Clubs that have qualified to participate in next year's Confederations of African Football (CAF) inter club competitions have called on the government to support them financially through their campaign.

The four top clubs - Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak, King Faisal and Berekum Arsenals agreed after a meeting held at the Secretariat of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) unanimously agreed that without the financial support, they cannot compete favourably with the other well resourced clubs.

A statement signed by Mr Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of the GFA said the Clubs also raised concerns about the stadiums in which they would honour the continental matches in view of the fact that the Ohene Djan and Baba Yara Sports stadiums are to be closed down for renovations.

The statement said in view of their grievances, the four clubs have decided to send a high-powered delegation involving the GFA and other stakeholders to the government to hold further discussions.

It said the clubs urged the government to respond positively and timely to their request to enable them defend the flag of Ghana, which also has a positive effect on the standard of the game in the country. Kotoko and Hearts who finished first and second on the table respectively would be participating in the CAF Champions League whilst King Faisal and 'new kids on the block', Arsenals will be slugging it out in the Confederations Cup by virtue of their third and fourth placing.