Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The Association of Sports Broadcasters (ASBOG), Accra Branch, has congratulated both clubs and the Ghana League clubs Association (GHALCA) for the peaceful manner in which the impasse that threatened to disrupt this year's Coca Cola Top Four was resolved. A statement issued on Sunday and signed by Mr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, President of ASBOG expressed delight at the matured manner in which the parties conducted themselves to enable Hearts, Kotoko, King Faisal and Liberty Professionals to participate in the tournament.

Asante Kotoko had earlier pulled out of the competition because the organizers, GHALCA, could not meet their demand of 400 million cedis appearance fee. Berekum Arsenals, which placed fifth at the end of the league, were subsequently asked to replace Kotoko for the month-long competition scheduled to have kicked off last week. Just as both organizers and participating teams were gearing up for the competition to kick-start on Saturday, January 17, after initial postponement, a representative of the new Kotoko Board rescinded the club's decision not to participate.

This new twist no doubt, angered Hearts, which threatened to pull out should Kotoko be re-admitted, and Arsenals warned to take legal action against GHALCA.

But after a series of meetings sealed last Friday, the seemingly feuding parties agreed that Kotoko, Hearts, King Faisal and Liberty should play while Arsenals take a backstage.

The statement said: "Berekum Arsenals should be commended for their very professional role in the whole saga and this can only confirm that given the necessary condition the club would grow to be a professional force in Ghana soccer".

It urged GHALCA to call for early negotiation with future participating clubs to avoid the re-occurrence of such a problem. The statement called on all supporters to embrace the current arrangements for a successful competition.

The GHALCA Top Four is participated by the first-four teams at the end of each league season.

This year, the top two clubs at the end of the competition would play the winners and the runners up of the South African Top Eight competition.