Making GPL sexy: Run clubs professionally – Analyst

Following assertions that the Ghana Premier League (GPL) has become unattractive due to its inability to draw sponsorship, it is, therefore, important for owners of clubs in the elite division to manage their teams as professional bodies, Sometimer Otuo-Acheampong, a sports analyst, has advised.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been unsuccessful at landing a sponsor for the league after then sponsors First Capital Plus Bank, now Capital Bank, suspended their five-year, $10-million deal with the football governing body in November 2015 to undergo restructuring.

Prior to that telecom giant Globacom had taken up sponsorship of the league but had failed to settle its financial obligations, for which reason its contract with the GFA was abrogated.

Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye intimated last week that the poor nature of the league was the cause of its inability to gain corporate sponsorship. Mr Vanderpuye’s comment was not taken lightly by the Premier League Board and the Ghana Football Association, which debunked the assertion.

Mr Otuo-Acheampong, who would not be drawn into making a categorical statement about whether the league was attractive or not, said the league had its strong and weak points depending on how one analysed it.

According to him, compared with other leagues in Europe and America, the standard of Ghana’s leagues may not be the best but remained “competitive” and superior to most domestic competitons on the African continent.

He said one proof of the league’s competitiveness was that with three games to go, there was no clear winner, given that about six clubs are in pole position to become champions, while no team had been relegated yet, adding that attendance too had picked up at the league centres compared to what pertained two years ago.

But one of the league’s low lights, he said, was the perennial protests over the fielding of unqualified players by some clubs, often resulting in the clubs suffering point deductions.

“Our league is doing its best to get to a certain level but it is not there yet. So, to that extent, you can say it is not attractive,” he told Chief Jerry Forson on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM

Mr Otuo-Acheampong, however, said the state of the league could not be isolated from prevailing economic conditions in the country, given that potential sponsors would have to raise so much money to sponsor the league – a requirement that in the current circumstances may be a rather tall order.

In addition, he said given that most clubs in the GPL are individually owned, which sees them often taking unilateral decisions and rendering accounts to no one, corporate organisations would be hesitant to come on board to support the league.

“What will make our leagues attractive is to begin to operate as professional football clubs,” he said.