PLB to organize stakeholders meetings ahead of matches

Accra, April 29, GNA - The Premier League Board (PLB) has decided to organise stakeholders meetings of matches during the second round of the 2008/2009 Glo Premier League. The meetings which will be chaired by a PLB member would tackle issues that are likely to occur and to remove all bottle-necks likely to affect the success of the game.

A statement signed by Kwame Ampim-Darko, Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical Affairs at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) copied to GNA Sports said the organization of the stakeholders meetings is borne out of recommendations of the Belieb Committee. The Belieb Committee was set up to investigate incidents during a Premier League match involving Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak last February and it recommended the classification of matches organised by the PLB into Categories A, B and C. Ampim-Darko said category 'A" deals with matches involving Kotoko and Hearts, "B" for matches involving either Kotoko or Hearts versus other clubs while category "C" is for matches between all other clubs. "To ensure that category "A" and "B" matches as well as some crucial Group C matches are played devoid of nasty scenes, the PLB has decided to organise stakeholders meetings, a week to the match day in Group "A" and a day or two preceding the Group B and selected Group C matches."

The Deputy General Secretary was categorical that the stakeholders meetings are exclusive of the technical meetings organised on match days which should be attended by the Police/Army, Ghana National Fire Service, Medical, Ghana Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance, leaders of the competing supporters' groups and Executives of the home team and a member of the visiting team.

Ampim-Darko appealed to the Chief Executives, National Sports Council and the various Management of clubs which own the playing fields to kindly arrange for the stakeholders meetings. Meanwhile, the PLB shall announce the dates and times for the convening of the meetings.